Ecology and equity in global fisheries: Modelling policy options using theoretical distributions

Abstract

Global fisheries present a typical case of political ecology or environmental injustice, i.e. a problem of distribution of resources within ecological limits. We built a stock-flow model to visualize this challenge and its dynamics, with both an ecological and a social dimension. We incorporated theoretical distributions for non-linear variables that serve to calibrate the model as well as facilitate real-time exploration of scenarios. These scenarios represent potential policy interventions aimed at addressing ecology and equity concerns in fishing. Model results show oscillation representative of predator-prey dynamics, as well as various degrees of stabilisation, inequality in resource extraction and/or collapse. Our results support the view that the most effective policy choices directly affect the growth of physical capital for ecological stabilisation, and in the social dimension reduce inequity in political control over the accumulation of capital and allocation of resources.