Saving Our Streams

128 Pages Posted: 23 Feb 2005

See all articles by Roger Bate

Roger Bate

American Enterprise Institute (AEI)

Abstract

Roger Bate explains the history of an unusual and remarkably effective 'environmental' organisation - the Anglers' Conservation Association (ACA). Founded in 1948, the ACA is a voluntary association of angling clubs and individual anglers which brings civil suits against polluters who harm fishing.

Dr. Bate's original and instructive history explores how the ACA, using the common law, has operated to indemnify its members against the cost of litigation, bringing thousands of actions and being awarded hundreds of injunctions and millions of pounds in damages for plaintiffs. Most cases end in out-of-court settlement which, though efficient, brings little public recognition to the ACA.

Dr. Bate argues that unlike other environmental groups, the ACA has not sought the limelight, though it is the most efficient and determined pollution prevention body in Britain. Its success demonstrates the value of private initiatives against polluters.

Keywords: Conservation, environment, fishing, pollution, rivers

JEL Classification: Q22, Q25, Q3, Q5, Q52, Q51, Q57

Suggested Citation

Bate, Roger, Saving Our Streams. IEA Research Monograph No. 53, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=670926 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.670926

Roger Bate (Contact Author)

American Enterprise Institute (AEI) ( email )

1150 17th Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
United States