Rob Chisholm '03 Captures First Prize With Essay

Author: Tom Drescher

Rob Chisholm '03 was recently awarded the grand prize in the Ohio State University National Undergraduate Essay Contest in Agricultural, Environmental and Development Economics for his paper on the resource management system of a lobster-fishing community in Nova Scotia, his native province.
Chisholm wrote the paper, "Drawing the Line: Informal Property Rights in a Nova Scotia Lobster Fishery," last spring for an environmental economics class taught by Jonathan Isham, Assistant Professor of Economics.
Immediately impressed with the structure and content of Chisholm's essay, Isham suggested that he submit the paper to Ohio State's national contest.
Economic literacy, relevance of the problem, creativity, evidence of strong research, and conclusions derived from analysis were some of the factors considered by the judges.
According to Isham, Chisholm's essay was already stellar as a first draft but with some fine-tuning it merited the grand prize in Ohio State's prestigious contest.
This distinction, shared with a student from the University of Michigan, earned Chisholm half of a $1,500 prize and a $250 prize for winning his category. Chisholm drew heavily on his experience growing up in a small town in Nova Scotia to write his essay. "Where I'm from, in Nova Scotia, you're either a lobster fisherman or a relative of a lobster fisherman," said Chisholm.
Chisholm describes the system utilized in his community as a "common pool" resource system. Through informal rules and cooperation, fishermen are assigned property rights to fish in certain areas, thus minimizing the potential for over-fishing.
Chisholm's essay explains the conditions under which a common pool system can promote both sustainability and profitability, using the lobster-fishing village in Nova Scotia as a practical example.
Chisholm, an environmental studies major, went on to write his thesis on the same subject. He has since received a scholarship to research material in Nova Scotia relating to his thesis.
Chisholm hopes to study resource management around the world and eventually take part in Canadian policy-making. He emphasizes the impact of policies on individuals and small communities.
"The lobster fishermen back in Nova Scotia work hard and well with their community toward preserving their resources for its future," explained Chisholm. "Policy must recognize that kind of work at the grass roots level."
Chisholm's award is indicative of his hard work, dedication and genuine interest in environmental studies. Isham observed that he represents the kind of environmental studies student Middlebury College is looking for.