Search

The recolonization of French forests by wolves is met with mixed feelings. While the spotlight is on predation of wolves on livestock, the potential benefit of the return of wolves has attracted less attention. Previous research has failed to assess the economic value of these benefits and focused only on the cost of predation. Our study proposes a modeling exercise to evaluate one of the services provided by wolves, namely, the reduction of collisions between wildlife and vehicles in France. We estimated that in 2018 the consumption of roe deer and wild boar by wolves saved between 2.4–7.8 million euros by preventing casualties and damage to property in road collisions. Offsetting this benefit with the costs of managing livestock predation could move the debate away from a simple clash between herders and environmentalists toward a more systemic approach and thus improve coexistence between wolves and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We put under scrutiny the 'artisanal vs. industrial' dichotomy used by French fisheries management for classifying fishing operations. Recent evolutions in the Atlantic fishing sector urge us to question its applicability. In particular the definition of the so-called 'artisanal fishing model' is under pressure (e.g., decline of family-based fishing, multi-vessel companies increasingly common, emergence of new forms of firm governance). Using mixed-method research (interviews, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and hierarchical clustering), we propose a new typology for classifying multi-vessel fishing firms, based on six organizational attributes (ownership structure, firm structure, management strategy, firm size, fishing strategy and valorization strategy). We have carried out a three-step analysis. First, the MCA suggests that the diversity of organizational forms can be described to a great extent in terms of the profile of the owner and the firm's management and valorization strategies. The cluster analysis then separates organizational configurations in five types, based on cluster-specific modalities: access to key information, legal form, vessel maintenance and standardization, growth objectives and management structure. The final description of the types draws from additional interview data as well as variables that were not used in the analysis. The typology captures the diversity of governance configurations currently existing in the sector, while providing some insight into their origins and future trajectories. We conclude that the artisanal model is outdated and insufficient for describing the organizational diversity of modern-day fishing firms, especially those in the 12–18 m and 18–24 m segments. • The 'artisanal vs. industrial' dichotomy traditionally used in French fisheries management is no longer adequate. • Multi-vessel fishing firms in France can be classified in 5 types based on organizational attributes. • There is a high diversity in firm governance and organization across fleet segments. • Across segments, governance is evolving towards scale increase, rationalization, product valorization, access to information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]