Why Economists Reject Long-Term Fisheries Management Plans?

Most fisheries agencies conduct biological and economic assessments independently. This independent conduct may lead to situations in which economists reject management plans proposed by biologists. The objective of this study is to show how to find optimal strategies that may satisfy biologists and economists' conditions. In particular we characterize optimal fishing trajectories that maximize the present value of a discounted economic indicator taking into account the age-structure of the population as in stock assessment methodologies. This approach is applied to the Northern Stock of Hake. Our main empirical findings are: i) Optimal policy may be far away from any of the classical scenarios proposed by biologists, ii) The more the future is discounted, the higher the likelihood of finding contradictions among scenarios proposed by biologists and conclusions from economic analysis, iii) Optimal management reduces the risk of the stock falling under precautionary levels, especially if the future is not discounted to much, and iv) Optimal stationary fishing rate may be very different depending on the economic indicator used as reference.

Life Expectancy, Human Capital, Social Security and Growth

Revised: 2006-11.-- Published as an article in: Journal of Public Economics 90(12), December, 2006, pp. 2323-2349.

Influence of shelf-break fronts on shellfish and fish stocks off Argentina [Contribution to ICES Annual Science Conference, Reykjavik, Iceland, 27 Sep- 04 Oct 1996]

The general circulation pattern in the western boundary of the SW Atlantic is dominated by the opposite flows of Malvinas (-Falkland)and Brazil Current. In the Confluence region both currents separate from the continental slope and flow offshore creating an area of strong contracts and complex dynamics. The shelf-break fronts off Argentina mark the transition between shelf waters of mixed origin and nutrient rich Malvinas waters. Two areas deserve special attention due to the steep gradients introduced by the outflow of important sources of continental waters: the Rio de la Plata and the Magellan Strait to the north and south of the study area. Characteristics of the front is the high primary and secondary production, and the presence of important invertebrate and fish stocks that concentrate along the front to feed or spawn. The area comprises nearly 30 o/o (333 million U$S in 1995)of all Argentine catches of fish and squid. Resources in the area, beyond the EEZ limits, support international fisheries mainly of Russia, Poland and Spain. (Document contains 15 pages & figs)

Contribution of Resource-Based View and Entrepreneurial Orientation on Small Firm Growth

[EN] This research provides a useful framework for identifying a small firms’ propensity to engage in entrepreneurial orientation. We examine the impact of the Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) as a main resource and capability on small firm’ growth. The growth seems to come out as an important demonstration of the entrepreneurial orientation of small firms (Davidsson, 1989; Green and Brown, 1997; Janney and Gregory, 2006). Thus, this research builds on prior conceptual research that suggests a positive integration between entrepreneurial orientation and resource-based view. In the first instance, the research will focus on reviewing literature in the emerging area of entrepreneurial orientation as it applies to growth oriented small firms and resource-based view of the firm. Secondly, an empirical study was developed based on a stratified sample of small firms of manufacturing industry. Data were submitted to a multivariate statistical analysis and a linear regression model was performed in order to predict the influence of the resources and capabilities on small firms’ growth. In this sense, we consider the construct growth as a dependent variable and the ones relates with resources and capabilities (entrepreneur resources, firm resources, networks and EO) as independent variables. The research results suggest a set of resources and capabilities that promote the growth of the small firms. Also, the EO seems to have a predictive value on growth. Explaining variables related with resources and capabilities and EO were identified as essential in growth oriented small firms. It was still possible to conclude that the entrepreneurial firms which grew seem to have resources and develop more capabilities and take advantage in the search for those competences. This attitude reflects on the EO of the firm. This study has important implication for both researchers and practitioners. It highlights the necessity of firms to develop superior EO of all their members and also to invest on better resources and consequently superior capabilities as a way of reaching higher levels of growth. While previous authors have attempted to analyse certain aspects of this process (linkage between entrepreneurial orientation and growth), this research developed a framework that combines these and others factors (resource-based view) pertinent to growth oriented small firms. The results support the necessity to identify explicative variables of multiple levels to explain the growth of small firms. The adoption of an entrepreneurial orientation as an indispensable variable to the growth oriented small firms seems pertinent.

Adequabilidade da arquitetura corporativa à gestão estratégica da Câmara dos Deputados

Analisa em que grau os elementos, métodos e artefatos preconizados pela arquitetura corporativa podem ser adequados ao processo de gestão estratégica na Câmara dos Deputados da República Federativa do Brasil. Essa adequabilidade se dá na medida em que houver o aproveitamento de esforço desprendido na implantação da gestão estratégica, em termos de criação de cultura organizacional, de aproveitamento de metodologias e artefatos já utilizados, e simultaneamente permitir sua evolução ao responder questões não atendidas pelo atual modelo. São descritos os principais conceitos relacionados à arquitetura corporativa e os modelos de referência Zachman e TOGAF 9.1, incluindo o processo de desenvolvimento da arquitetura - ADM (Architecture Development Method), bem como o Metamodelo de Conteúdos. Também são apresentados conceitos relacionados ao planejamento estratégico e formulação da estratégia, o Balanced Scorecard - BSC e o processo de Gestão Estratégica construído e utilizado na Câmara dos Deputados. Para se relacionar os elementos da Gestão Estratégica da Câmara dos Deputados com os elementos preconizados pelo modelo TOGAF 9.1, construiu-se uma tabela com a relação entre as entidades previstas no modelo TOGAF 9.1 e práticas da Gestão Estratégica da Câmara dos Deputados. Para avaliar o grau de contribuição da arquitetura corporativa para enfrentar questões ainda não resolvidas na gestão estratégica daquela instituição, elaborou-se um quadro contendo a relação entre as questões estratégicas e artefatos do modelo TOGAF 9.1 que endereçam essas questões. Para facilitar o entendimento das entidades do Metamodelo de Conteúdos, elaborou-se um glossário com os termos utilizados neste componente do TOGAF 9.1. Concluiu-se pela adequação da arquitetura corporativa ao processo de gestão estratégica da Câmara dos Deputados, de acordo com os critérios definidos previamente.

Pension system's reform in Spain: a dynamic analysis of the effects in Welfare

100 p. : graf.

O Congresso Nacional e a política externa brasileira : posicionamento dos senadores frente às negociações para a formação da ALCA (1994-2005)

Analisa o posicionamento dos integrantes do Congresso Nacional frente às negociações para a formação da Área de Livre Comércio das Américas (ALCA), a concentrar sua atenção sobre o Senado Federal, com eventuais incursões pela Câmara dos Deputados. O período por nós delimitado compreende, respectivamente, o lançamento da proposta pela integração continental, ocorrida na I Cúpula das Américas, nos EUA, em 1994, até o ano de 2005, em que se evidenciou a paralisação do processo negociador. Dois fatores estimularam-nos a realizar esta tarefa. Primeiro, colocar à prova a tese, disseminada pelo senso comum, de que o Parlamento não demonstra interesse por questões ou assuntos internacionais. Segundo, fornecer uma contribuição à escassa bibliografia disponível a respeito da relação entre os congressistas e a produção da política externa brasileira de integração regional, em particular. Apesar de não ignorarmos o papel predominante do Poder Executivo na formulação e condução da política externa nacional, e nem a comprovada carência de mecanismos participativos e decisórios formais à disposição do Parlamento para atuar nas diferentes facetas deste plano, procuramos aferir em que medida a atividade parlamentar se restringe ou não, na prática, ao seu exercício constitucional de aprovar ou rejeitar matérias sobre política exterior, conforme nos aponta o senso comum. O caráter polêmico das negociações e dos debates ocorridos no Brasil a respeito da conformação da ALCA, ao longo de mais de uma década, levou-nos a questionar qual teria sido o posicionamento dos congressistas com relação ao assunto, ou seja, se teriam manifestado interesse em se envolver mais intensamente com a questão, ou se reservado a debatê-la somente na ocasião em que fosse submetida, na forma de um acordo, à sua apreciação. A elaboração do presente trabalho orientou-se pela pretensão em alcançar respostas para duas perguntas formuladas por nós: a ausência de mecanismos formais de participação parlamentar nas negociações sobre a ALCA teria refletido um suposto desinteresse dos senadores pela questão? Em que medida esta referida ausência não teria impelido o Parlamento a buscar influenciar o processo por outros meios, ou até mesmo fomentado demandas pela ampliação de seu papel constitucional no tratamento de questões externas? Para tentar responder a tais perguntas, servimo-nos especialmente dos apanhamentos taquigráficos dos pronunciamentos realizados pelos senadores; de proposições elaboradas pelos congressistas e de atas e notas tquigráficas de audiências públicas promovidas por Comissões do Congresso Nacional.

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Bibliografía. Gymnocharacinus bergii.

Espanol: Este trabajo tiene como objetivo la recopilación de la información existente sobre las especies presentes en nuestro territorio. Para ello, se elaboraron fichas que contienen las referencias argentinas y de aquellas revisiones de autores extranjeros que involucran taxas de nuestro país. Como principales fuentes de información se consultaron Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) y las bases de datos on-line de W. N. Eschmeyer y Fish Base. Esta es una publicación abierta, por lo que requerirá de actualización permanente, para lo cual sería necesario se sume a nuestra tarea la buena voluntad y colaboración de la comunidad ictiológica. Esperamos con este aporte colaborar en la construcción de una base de datos de los peces continentales de la Argentina. La concreción de esta herramienta dará soporte a los planes generados desde los diferentes sectores involucrados en el tema, además de fomentar la difusión de la disciplina y la reafirmación de los derechos soberanos sobre nuestros recursos naturales. English: The goal of this work is to compile the existing information about the species present in our country. This has been done by means of datasheets that list both local references and reviews by foreign authors that include Argentine taxa. The main information sources consulted were Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) and the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating, which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. With this contribution, we hope to help to build a database of the freshwater fish of Argentina. The completion of this project will provide support to diverse plans emanating from different sectors, as well as promote the diffusion of this field of research and reaffirm Argentina’s sovereign rights over our natural resources. (Texto en Espanol Y English. PDF tiene nueve paginas.)

Peces continentales de la Argentina: Bibliografía. Lepidosiren paradoxa.

Espanol: Este trabajo tiene como objetivo la recopilación de la información existente sobre las especies presentes en nuestro territorio. Para ello, se elaboraron fichas que contienen las referencias argentinas y de aquellas revisiones de autores extranjeros que involucran taxas de nuestro país. Como principales fuentes de información se consultaron Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) y las bases de datos on-line de W. N. Eschmeyer y Fish Base. Esta es una publicación abierta, por lo que requerirá de actualización permanente, para lo cual sería necesario se sume a nuestra tarea la buena voluntad y colaboración de la comunidad ictiológica. Esperamos con este aporte colaborar en la construcción de una base de datos de los peces continentales de la Argentina. La concreción de esta herramienta dará soporte a los planes generados desde los diferentes sectores involucrados en el tema, además de fomentar la difusión de la disciplina y la reafirmación de los derechos soberanos sobre nuestros recursos naturales. English: The goal of this work is to compile the existing information about the species present in our country. This has been done by means of datasheets that list both local references and reviews by foreign authors that include Argentine taxa. The main information sources consulted were Ringuelet et al. (1967), CLOFFSCA (2003), López et al. (2003; 2006), Liotta (2006) and the online databases of W. N. Eschmeyer and Fish Base. This is an open-ended publication. As such, it will require permanent updating, which will depend on the good will and collaboration of the ichthyological community. With this contribution, we hope to help to build a database of the freshwater fish of Argentina. The completion of this project will provide support to diverse plans emanating from different sectors, as well as promote the diffusion of this field of research and reaffirm Argentina’s sovereign rights over our natural resources. (Texto en English y Espanol. PDF tiene ocho paginas.)

What lies beneath: responding to forest development plans: a guide for First Nations

pdf contains 60 pages

Science-based restoration monitoring of coastal habitats, Volume One: A framework for monitoring plans under the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 (Public Law 160-457)

Executive Summary: The Estuary Restoration Act of 2000 (ERA), Title I of the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000, was created to promote the restoration of habitats along the coast of the United States (including the US protectorates and the Great Lakes). The NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science was charged with the development of a guidance manual for monitoring plans under this Act. This guidance manual, titled Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats, is written in two volumes. It provides technical assistance, outlines necessary steps, and provides useful tools for the development and implementation of sound scientific monitoring of coastal restoration efforts. In addition, this manual offers a means to detect early warnings that the restoration is on track or not, to gauge how well a restoration site is functioning, to coordinate projects and efforts for consistent and successful restoration, and to evaluate the ecological health of specific coastal habitats both before and after project completion (Galatowitsch et al. 1998). The following habitats have been selected for discussion in this manual: water column, rock bottom, coral reefs, oyster reefs, soft bottom, kelp and other macroalgae, rocky shoreline, soft shoreline, submerged aquatic vegetation, marshes, mangrove swamps, deepwater swamps, and riverine forests. The classification of habitats used in this document is generally based on that of Cowardin et al. (1979) in their Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, as called for in the ERA Estuary Habitat Restoration Strategy. This manual is not intended to be a restoration monitoring “cookbook” that provides templates of monitoring plans for specific habitats. The interdependence of a large number of site-specific factors causes habitat types to vary in physical and biological structure within and between regions and geographic locations (Kusler and Kentula 1990). Monitoring approaches used should be tailored to these differences. However, even with the diversity of habitats that may need to be restored and the extreme geographic range across which these habitats occur, there are consistent principles and approaches that form a common basis for effective monitoring. Volume One, titled A Framework for Monitoring Plans under the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000, begins with definitions and background information. Topics such as restoration, restoration monitoring, estuaries, and the role of socioeconomics in restoration are discussed. In addition, the habitats selected for discussion in this manual are briefly described. (PDF contains 116 pages)

The economic contribution of whalewatching to regional economies: Perspectives from two National Marine Sanctuaries

Whenever human beings have looked out on the sea, they have seen whales. First from the shore and later from ships when humanity entered the ocean realm as seafarers, we have responded to seeing these creatures with awe and wonder. Even when we hunted whales, a period well chronicled both in history and in literature, the sight of a whale brought an adrenaline rush that was not totally linked to potential economic gain. The first trips on boats specifically to watch, rather than hunt, whales began around 45 years ago in Southern California where the migrating gray whales, seen in the distance from land, drew vessels out for a closer look. Since that time whalewatching has boomed, currently conducted in over 40 countries around the world, including Antarctica, and estimated by economists at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society to have a 1999 worldwide economic value of around $800 million USD. The economic contribution to local coastal communities is particularly significant in developing countries and those where declining fish populations (and in some cases like the Japanese, international bans on whaling) have driven harvesters to look for viable alternatives. Clearly, whalewatching is now, in many places around the world, a small but thriving part of the regional economy. Like in the days of whaling, we still get the rush, but for some, money is back contributing to the physiological response. (PDF contains 90 pages.)