JBS-10 Economic valuation research on jellyfish outbreaks and their impacts on coastal zone activities

 

Jellyfish blooms may have a number of negative consequences for humans and socio-economic impacts. Jellyfish outbreaks received worldwide attention due to recent massive outbreaks of Pelagia noctiluca and other species that hit the coastal areas especially during spring and summertime. Popular beaches of tourist importance may have red flag due to jellyfish presence, prohibiting swimmers from entering the water or causing a high number of attentions due to jellyfish stings. Also, the fishery industry may be affected due to collapse of nets and/or fish damage. The present thematic session includes work being developed by multidisciplinary teams that focus on the use of econometric approaches so as to systematic value of the impacts of jellyfish outbreaks on coastal zone activities, such as tourism and fisheries. From the policy perspective, various studies confirm the importance of the economic impacts of jellyfish outbreaks and the need for mitigation strategies. This Special Session aims to present Socio-Economic work made on this area and its policy intake.

 

Chairs:

Paulo Nunes - United Nations Environment Programme (Kenya)

Andrea Ghermandi - University of Haifa (Israel)
John Gowdy - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA)