Environmental Studies Notes (Grade A)

Summary:

The “Tragedy of the Commons Lab” is an activity where participants act as fishing company owners trying to catch the most fish to make money. They fish from a small lake with a maximum capacity of 20 fish, and each fish can spontaneously reproduce. In the first part, participants fish without communication, and the fish population decreases over time. In the second part, participants discuss strategies to sustain the fish population while making money and can communicate during fishing. The second part proves more successful in maintaining the environment and making money. The activity relates to the concept of the “Tragedy of the Commons,” where overuse of common resources can lead to their destruction, causing a negative impact on both people and the environment. Participants reflect on the need for responsible regulation and control of common resources to avoid such tragedies.

Excerpt:

Environmental Studies Notes

The Tragedy of the Commons Lab
Objective: Use a simulation to model the effects of competition for natural resources without regulations.
Overview: In this activity, each individual in your group owns a fishing company trying to catch the
most fish to make the most money. Due to drought conditions, the only resource nearby for the fish is a small
lake that can only hold a maximum of 20 fish. This maximum is due to limiting factors in the lakes, such as
space, oxygen, food, etc., that the fish depend on to survive. Fortunately, each fish is able to
spontaneously reproduce and make one new fish. Each person can take as many or as few fish as you
want, but you need at least 1 fish to keep your company in business, or you will be eliminated.

Materials:
● 20 Goldfish crackers – Do Not Eat
● 1 Plastic bowl “Lake”
● 1 Spoon (per student)
● Paper Towel “Fishing boat”

Procedures and Rules:
1. Work in groups of 4. Each group should sit in a circle around the plastic bowl which represents the
“lake” you are fishing from
2. Each fish is worth $10.
3. You will start with 20 fish in your lake.
4. There will be 3 rounds of fishing; each round will be 60 seconds, and your teacher will keep the time.