Counting biodiversity waste in industrial eco-efficiency: fisheries case study |
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| Authors: | JH Martin Willison Raymond P Côté |
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| Institution: | 1. Biology Department, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Canada B3H 4J1;2. School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N.S., Canada B3H 3J5;1. School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;2. Global China Institute for Urban Governance, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China;3. Global Lands Program, The Nature Conservancy, Fort Collins, CO 80524, USA;1. School of Economics and Resource Management, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;2. School of Management Science and Engineering, Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing 100081, China;3. State Key Joint Laboratory of Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China;1. Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Princetonlaan 8a, 3584 CB, Utrecht, the Netherlands;2. Wageningen Economic Research, PO Box 29703, 2502 LS, Den Haag, the Netherlands;1. Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Dept. Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN), 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg;2. Fondazione Edmund Mach, Research and Innovation Centre, Dept. Biodiversity and Molecular Ecology, Via Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, TN, Italy |
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| Abstract: | The foundation for the creation of eco-efficiency metrics for industrial impacts on biodiversity is considered. Because biodiversity is the essence of life itself, these metrics are essential for effectiveness in the theory and practice of eco-efficiency, particularly in the case of primary natural resource extraction industries such as fishing and forestry. The case of fishing is examined, with particular attention to by-catch, lost nets, and habitat damage caused by mobile fishing gears. It is appropriate to examine fishing because industrial era impacts on marine biodiversity have been severe and are driving large and deleterious changes in marine ecosystems. For discarded by-catch, it is proposed that an eco-efficient metric for the value per unit mass of discarded fish can be set to be equivalent to that of the market value of the utilized catch. In estimating the eco-efficient value of the catch, the value of the discarded fish is then subtracted from the market value of the catch. Fish killed in lost nets can be treated similarly. It is more difficult to address marine habitat damage by mobile fishing gear, which has the highest potential for ecological injury.By using the approach proposed, negative eco-efficiencies are obtained under circumstances in which the collateral damage to biodiversity exceeds the economic benefit obtained. This is a logical outcome given the long-term effects of biodiversity decline. A metric is also proposed for assessing whether avoidance of harm to biodiversity, in the form of switching fishing gear, is required. Lastly it is proposed that metrics might be developed to provide eco-efficiency credit for companies taking effective actions to improve, or actively participate in, ecosystem-based fisheries management. |
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