Tragedy of the Commons: The case of the shrinking and disappearing "dilis" (anchovies) and "espada" fish.

Lesson on TATAKalikasan, Ateneo de Manila University

87.9 FM Radyo Katipunan, every Thursday) 11 to 12 a.m.

Tragedy of the Commons: 

The case of the shrinking and disappearing "dilis" (anchovies) and "espada" fish.

Dr Abe V Rotor

Living with Nature School on Blog

 

Dilis or anchovies is considered "poor man's food" in the rank of galunggong, pork and beans, and pandesal .  This prolific marine fish, once the main source of fishmeal for animal and poultry feeds, has spiraled beyond the  means of ordinary people. 

Espada (bulong-unas Ilk) is another marine fish that is fished in its juvenile stage, similarly with many other species that are over harvested, usually with close-knit fishnets - and without let-up in the absence of strict regulations.   

Tragedy of the Commons*

Tragedy of the commons, a term scholarly phrased,

     means simply shrinking resources

in the midst of open competition to all in the name 

     of freedom with whatever process

of acquisition in social Darwinism falsely applied;

     at the end, the winner neither the best

nor the vanquished, the passive nor meek, but all -

     victims swept by the current of unrest 

where the old Malthus' ghost once more roam,

     where lost the essence of progress,

and Toffler's ecospasm of economics and ecology 

    clash and fall from their lofty crest. ~   

    
* The tragedy of the commons is an economics theory by Garrett Hardin, according to which individuals, acting independently and rationally according to each one's self-interest, behave contrary to the whole group's long-term best interests by depleting some common resource. The concept is often cited in connection with sustainable development, meshing economic growth and environmental protection, as well as in the debate over global warming. "Commons" can include the atmosphere, oceans, rivers, fish stocks, national parks, the office refrigerator, and any other shared resource. The tragedy of the commons has particular relevance in analyzing behavior in the fields of economics, evolutionary psychology, anthropology, game theory, politics, taxation, and sociology. Some also see the "tragedy" as an example of emergent behavior, the outcome of individual interactions in a complex system. (Wikipedia)

* Lesson on former Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid with Ms Melly C Tenorio 738 DZRB AM Band, 8 to 9 evening class, Monday to Friday ~