Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics

Louise S.L. Teh · Lydia C.L.Teh · Gavin Jolis ·Marine Policy ·2018

This study quantifies the Total Economic Value (TEV) marine turtles contribute to the Semporna Priority Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia, based on field surveys conducted in May 2014 with marine stakeholders, including 60 fishing households, 9 resorts, and 7 government and academic institutions. The estimated TEV of marine turtles was USD 23 million per year, ranging from USD 21–25 million. The estimated non-consumptive value of marine turtles far exceeded the consumptive use value. Moreover, the protection of marine turtles could potentially generate 1146 tourism jobs, equivalent to USD 469,000 in employment income per year. Conservation could be partially funded from tourism, as tourists were willing to contribute USD 1.5 million for marine turtle protection and conservation annually. Scenario analysis showed that the discounted TEV of marine turtles could reach up to USD 716 million over 30 years if full protection of turtles was implemented now. This is more than double the discounted TEV of marine turtles under status quo conditions (USD 262 million). By showing the substantial economic value derived from marine turtles, this study not only provides an important incentive for protecting marine turtles in Semporna, but also for investing in conserving marine resources in the wider Coral Triangle and Asia Pacific region.

Gabriel M.S.Vianna · Mark G.Meekan · Abbie A.Rogers (The University of Western Australia · Marit E.Kragt · James M.Alin · Johanna S.Zimmerhackel ·Marine Policy ·2018

This study estimated the economic value of the shark-diving industry in Semporna, the most popular diving destination of Malaysia, by surveying the expenditures of diving tourists and dive operators through the region. A willingness-to-pay survey was also used to estimate the potential of the industry as a financing mechanism for enforcement and management of a hypothetical Marine Protected Area (MPA) to conserve shark populations. The study showed that in 2012, shark-diving tourism provided direct revenues in excess of USD 9.8 million to the Semporna region. These economic benefits had a flow-on effect, generating more than USD 2 million in direct taxes to the government and USD 1.4 million in salaries to the community. A contingent valuation analysis indicated that implementation of a fee paid by divers could generate over USD 2 million for management and enforcement of the MPA each year. These findings suggest that shark diving is an important contributor to the economy of the Semporna region that could be used as a mechanism to assist financial resourcing for management and conservation strategies.

Muhammad Mehedi Masud · Ahmad S. Sackor · A.S.A. Ferdous Alam (Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)) · Abul Quasem Al-Amind (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) & Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)) · Ahmad Bashawir Abdul Ghanif (Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM)) ·Marine Policy ·2018

The vulnerability of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to flood disasters affects not only the underlying eco-centric and anthropocentric values therein, but also the coastal communities that are adjacent to the MPAs. The consequences can lead to economic, social and environmental degradation. As such, the perception of the coastal communities about flood risk occurrences and their effects on the MPAs are crucial for Flood Risk Management (FRM) exercises. Having an insight into the perceptions of the coastal communities about the build-up of flood risk analysis adds robustness to the FRM cycle as it can increase levels of preparedness, responses and recoveries. This paper examines the relationship between the communities’ perceived vulnerability, perceived severity of flood risks, perceived benefits of flood risk management, perceived barriers of flood management and their previous experience of flood risk management. The paper seeks to understand how this intersection influences the human intention to participate in the preventive and precautionary measures related to flood risks in MPAs. To achieve the objectives, a survey questionnaire was conducted on a sample of 320 households from MPAs in Malaysia. Data were analysed using the structural equation modelling (SEM). This study revealed that perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and previous flood risk experience have a positive and significant influence on the intention to participate in prevention activities. This study offers valuable insights that may be useful for policymakers in promoting greater public engagement in managing climatic disasters including potential flood risks in MPAs.

Sallahuddin Hassan ·International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy ·2018 ·JEL: C53; O16; Q41

This study is aimed at exploring the impact of energy consumption, private investment, financial development and economic growth on carbon dioxide (CO2 ) emissions in Malaysia employing the autoregressive distributed lags model for the period 1976-2013. The result reveals the presence of long run association connecting the variables and established that private investment and energy consumption impact positively on CO2 emissions in Malaysia. For that reason, the study recommends the implementation of clean technology by private investors is essential in managing CO2 emissions in Malaysia.