Fishing in Norway, Farming in Sri Lanka – Kyle Hoke

In Norway, there is a case examining how to control the problem of over fishing in the 200 mile offshore exclusive zone (http://personal.colby.edu/personal/t/thtieten/fish-nor.html). Norwegian diets consist mainly of fish, so the sustainable use of this food resource is necessary for the future. In the past they used a system called “Total Allowable Catch” or TAC to split the catches with Russia. This resulted into a race to fish up to the limit and was an unsustainable practice. The Norwegians attempted to develop a new system. Currently, there is a system called Individual Transferable Quota or ITQ for a specific species of cod. Although it has its issues, this system allowed individual vessels to collect fish up to the limit in the most efficient way for them. This system helps to protect the fish population, which relates to the idea of sustainable development discussed in the lecture. This system allows for the use of resources now, without jeopardizing the future.

 

In the lecture information, we discussed agricultural development and how that became the foundation for today’s developed societies. In Sri Lanka, the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, and other organizations have come together to teach farmers about best practices (http://www.farmingfirst.org/2010/12/training-farmers-in-best-practice-in-sri-lanka/). Pest infestations are a huge problem to Sri Lankan farmers, and many people have had issues with the pesticides being used improperly. Trainers have shown farmers the proper procedures when handling dangerous pesticides. This ranges from choosing the right products, to wearing the right equipment, and even reducing waste. As a result of these lessons about proper use of pesticides, farms have experienced healthier crops at higher outputs, and they are being sold for more money. One farmer reports his income has grown over 1 million rupees which is equal to about $14,500.

 

The case in Sri Lanka is almost the exact opposite to development where I am from. I am from East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. It is in the northeast Pocono region of the state, and right on the border with New Jersey. There, farm land is not being promoted or helped, rather it is being turned in to retail centers. One family farm that has been in the region for almost a century was recently sold to develop an area of retail. This also relates to the Norway case, but instead of fish it is farm animals used for meat. There are no current projects to sustain, grow, or protect animals used for food. This has to do with the development of urban areas. Although my town is an hour and a half away from New York City, those in the five boroughs come to the Poconos to live, thinking it is “the country side.” However, with this increase in population comes the need for more land being used for economic development instead of agriculture.

3 thoughts on “Fishing in Norway, Farming in Sri Lanka – Kyle Hoke

  1. Hello Kyle,
    My name is Carmen and I thought your post was very interesting. I think it is unfair that the farmland is being used for retail centers. You would think that big cities already take up so much land, but can’t seem to have enough. I know there are many individuals who prefer to live in the country. Although it is sad that it might come to a point where there will not be anywhere close by that will be considered country. Just as I mentioned in we take our natural resources for granted which is not good.
    Here is my link to my blog: http://geog030.dutton.psu.edu/2016/02/26/module-5-development-case-studies-7/

  2. Hi! My name is Alexis and here is a link to my blog: https://wp.me/p3RCAy-bzi.In my blog, I spoke about environmental justice in regards to the Detroit Intermodal Freight Terminal project for the first case study. I then analyzed the unsustainable development of pollution within Mexico City for the second one.

    I found your third paragraph very compelling. It was interesting how compared your homeland with the fish crisis mentioned in paragraph one. This idea of selling the land after years of ownership and the fish being used as a diet though part of life, can somewhat lead to unsustainable development. In other words if those farms keep getting sold in order to put in new buildings those farms will go out of business and no longer be able to provide resources. This continuation is a human error which could end up harming our earth rather than expanding it in the long run.

  3. Hi, Im Chris and I enjoyed reading your post very much. I too live in an area that the land is being destroyed and buildings are being built. I am saddened by this because I like to see a big open grassy field instead of a big grey building. I can’t believe that family farm was sold, I guess its just the direction that we are heading in.
    here is the link to my blog if you want to check it out.
    http://geog030.dutton.psu.edu/2016/02/25/deforestation-at-home-and-abroad/

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