# Ocean Fishery incentive replace “doom and gloom” with hope

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/05/ocean-fishery-incentive-replace-doom-gloom-with-hope/
- Published: 2017-05-27T05:23:02-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

CORVALLIS, Ore. – So let’s talk ocean fishery incentive programs. Those that are
designed to enable smarter use of the ocean. All while also protecting marine [ecosystems](https://greenlivingguy.com/2012/07/wwf-unveils-new-investment-model-to-recover-marine-ecosystems/)
can and do work. Moreover offer significant hope to help address the multiple environmental
[threats facing the world’s ocean](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/06/whale-oil-fight-a-threat-to-ocean-giants/)
fishery. For researchers conclude in a new analysis.

Whether economic or social, incentive-based solutions may be one of the best options
for progress in reducing impacts from [overfishing](https://greenlivingguy.com/2024/01/e-bikes-green-sustainable-transportation-solution/).
Also climate change, ocean acidification and pollution. Because researchers from
Oregon State University and Princeton University say in a new report published this
week in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

#### Ocean Fishery Incentive Programs

And positive incentives – the “carrot” – work better than negative incentives, or
the “stick.”
[⌊Ocean fishery incentive⌉](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/img_0684.jpg?quality=52&ssl=1)
Part of the reason for optimism, the researchers report, is changing awareness. 
Also attitudes and social norms around the world. Especially in which resource users
and consumers are becoming more informed about environmental issues and [demanding action](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/04/sea-shepherd-vaquita-conservation-society-defends-porpoise/)
to address them. That sets the stage for economic incentives that can convert near-
disaster situations into sustainable ocean fishery. In addition to cleaner water
and long-term solutions.

In this report they state the ocean is becoming higher, warmer, stormier, more acidic.
Also, lower in dissolved oxygen and overfished. This was said by Jane Lubchenco.
Jane is the distinguished university professor in the College of Science and advisor
in marine studies at Oregon State University. Also lead author of the new report,
and U.S. science envoy for the ocean at the Department of State.

The [threats also facing the ocean](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/10/oceans-bowermaster-exploring-the-threats-to-our-seas/)
fishery are enormous. I mean and can seem overwhelming. But there’s actually reason
for hope. That’s because it’s also based on what we’ve learned about the use of 
incentives to change the way people. In addition to nations and institutions behave.
We believe it’s possible to make that transition from a vicious to a virtuous cycle.
Getting incentives right can flip a disaster to a resounding success.”

[Simon](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/green-gas-production-set-to-increase/)
A. Levin, the James S. McDonnell distinguished university professor in ecology and
evolutionary biology at Princeton University and co-author of the publication. For
they had a similar perspective.

I mean The stakes are huge, the scientists point out in their study.

### Global Market Ocean Fishery

The [global market value of marine and coastal](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/12/nasa-global-mangrove-layer-reveals-coastal-secrets/)
resources and industries is about $3 trillion a year; more than 3 billion people
depend on fish for a major source of protein; and our ocean fishery involves more
than 200 million people. Ocean fishery and coastal ecosystems provide food. Also,
oxygen, climate regulation, pest control, recreational and cultural value.

Look, given its importance of [marine resources](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/05/earthx-partners-with-sdg-media-zone-at-inaugural-un-ocean-conference/).
For many of the 150 or more coastal nations, especially those in the developing 
world. Forpeople are searching for new approaches to economic development, poverty
alleviation and food security,” said Elizabeth Cerny-Chipman, a postdoctoral scholar
working with Lubchenco. “Our findings can provide guidance to them about how to 
develop sustainably.”

In recent years, the researchers said in their report, new incentive systems have
been developed that tap into people’s desires for both economic sustainability and
global environmental protection. In many cases, individuals, scientists, [faith](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/07/10-ways-faith-groups-are-combating-global-environment/)
communities, businesses, nonprofit organizations and governments are all changing
in ways that reward desirable and dissuade undesirable behaviors.

One of the leading examples of progress is the use of “rights-based fisheries.” 
Instead of a traditional “race to fish” concept based on limited seasons, this growing
movement allows fishers to receive a guaranteed fraction of the catch, benefit from
a well-managed, healthy fishery and become part of a [peer](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/04/peer-new-rating-system-for-sustainable-power-systems/)
group in which cheating is not tolerated.

#### 200 Ocean Fishery Covering Species Countries

There are now more than 200 rights-based fisheries covering more than 500 species
among 40 countries, the report noted. One was implemented in the [Gulf of Mexico](https://greenlivingguy.com/2018/04/gulf-mexico-dead-zone-not-expected-shrink-anytime-soon/)
red snapper commercial fishery. One which was on the brink of collapse after decades
of overfishing. A rights-based plan implemented in 2007 has tripled the spawning
potential, doubled catch limits and increased fishery revenue by 70 percent.

“Multiple turn-around stories in fisheries attest to the potential to end overfishing,
recover depleted species, achieve healthier ocean ecosystems, and bring economic
benefit to fishermen and coastal communities,” said Lubchenco. “It is possible to
have your fish and eat them too.”

A success story used by some nations has been combining “territorial use rights 
in fisheries,” which assign exclusive fishing access in a particular place to certain
individuals or communities, together with adjacent marine reserves. Fish recover
inside the no-take reserve and “spillover” to the adjacent fished area outside the
reserve. Another concept of incentives has been “debt for nature” swaps used in 
some nations, in which foreign debt is exchanged for protection of the ocean.

##### Conclusion

The European Union, based on strong environmental support among its public, has 
issued warnings and trade sanctions against countries that engage in illegal, unregulated
and unreported fishing. In the U.S., some of the nation’s largest retailers, in 
efforts to improve their image with consumers, have moved toward sale of only certified
sustainable seafood.
Incentives are not a new idea, the researchers noted. But they
emphasize that their power may have been under-appreciated.

Source: OSU College of Science, 11-28-16, By David Stauth

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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