R. Quentin Grafton is Professor of Economics and Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy (CWEEP) at the Crawford School of Economics and Government at the Australian National University (ANU) and Honorary Professor in the Department of Economics at the University of Otago. In April 2010 he was appointed the Chairholder, the UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Transboundary Water Governance.

Previously he was Senior Fellow at the Centre for Resource and Environmental Studies (2001-2004) at the ANU, Director of the Institute of the Environment (1999-2001) at the University of Ottawa (UO) and Associate Professor and Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics at UO. He has an abiding interest in the problems of the environment, especially the overexploitation and management of renewable resources, especially fisheries and water.

He graduated with a PhD in Economics from the University of British Columbia in 1992, and holds an MS degree from Iowa State University and an undergraduate degree from Massey University in agricultural economics. He currently serves as Editor of the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics and on the editorial boards of Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, International Journal of Environmental Economics, Environment and Development Economics, and Economics Research International. He is also the Chief Editor of the blog, the Global Water Forum.

He has published more than 80 scholarly articles in some of the world's leading journals in economics and the life sciences (such as Science), more than 25 chapters in books, four edited books and seven authored books including: Handbook of Marine Fisheries Conservation and Management (2010), Economics of Water Resources (2009), The Economics of the Environment and Natural Resources (2004), Understanding the Environment: Bridging the Disciplinary Divides (2005) and Economics for Fisheries Management (2006).

He has served in numerous advisory roles and expert panels in Australia and overseas, including as Chair of the Social and Economics Reference Panel of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission (2008-2009) and a member of the National Council on Education for Sustainability (2008-2010).

» Curriculum vitae [PDF, 103KB]

Links

• Economics of Overexploitation Revisited: (published in Science 318:1601)
  • Video [PDF, 298KB]
  • Powerpoint [PDF, 797KB]
  • Abstract [PDF, 298KB]
  • Full Text [PDF, 298KB]
• Co-author Documents
• International and Development Economics Research and Working Papers
• Economics and Environmental Network
• ANU Water Initiative

Teaching

• IDEC 8018 - Agricultural Economics and Resources Policy
  » view course outline [PDF, 59KB]
• IDEC 8053 - Environmental Economics
  » view course outline [PDF, 59KB]

Media releases and articles

• Quentin Grafton speaks in National Press Club address regarding Murray-Darling Basin Plan: River Rescue or Rural Disaster, 20 October, 2010
  » view article
• Quentin Grafton cited in "Plan won't be like a drought", The Land, 14 October, 2010
  » view article [PDF, 814KB]
• Quentin Grafton cited in "‘Huge cost’ in returning water to Murray", The Australian, 8 October, 2010
  » view article [PDF, 1934KB]
• Quentin Grafton cited in "Murray-Darling may cost up to $6bn", Australian Financial Review, 13 August, 2010
  » view article [PDF, 32KB]
• Quentin Grafton cited in "Labor wades into water buying for Murray-Darling", Sydney Morning Herald, 11 August, 2010
  » view article
• Quentin Grafton interviewed regarding "Saving the Murray Darling Basin", Radio National, 7 August, 2010
  » view article
• Quentin Grafton writes "One fish, two fish, no fish", Inside Story, 18 August, 2009
  » view article
• Quentin Grafton interviewed on ABC Radio (Rear Vision) regarding "The end of fish", 22 July, 2009
  » view article
• Quentin Grafton interviewed on WIN News regarding "Sustainable Future - Water Workshop", 10 March, 2009
  » view video [MP4, 3071KB]
• Quentin Grafton mentioned in "Murray-Darling needs more: economist", Sydney Morning Herald, 18 February, 2009
  » view article [PDF, 26KB]
• Quentin Grafton writes "$10b Murray buyback vital for land and economy", Canberra Times, 6 February, 2009
  » view article [PDF, 95KB]
• "So much money down the drain" Sydney Morning Herald, July 18 2008
  » view article [PDF, 409KB]
• "Catch cuts 'bring bigger profits'" BBC Online News, December 7 2007
  » view article [PDF, 97KB]
• "Fishing for Profits: Reduced Catch Means Net Gain for Fishers—And Fish" Scientific America, December 6, 2007
  » view article [PDF, 49KB]
• "The Continent that ran dry" NewScientist Magazine, June 16 2007
  » view article [PDF, 465KB]
• "Raise water price: study" Australian Financial Review, November 28 2006
  » view article [PDF, 28KB]
• "Water prices should increase, says expert" ABC News Online, November 28 2006
  » view article [PDF, 61KB]
• "Sydney's water view should be more costly: Costly" ANU Media Release, November 23 2006
  » view article [PDF, 112KB]
• "Water price must reflect all costs", The Australian Financial Review, November 7 2006.
  » view article [PDF, 96KB]
• " 'Living Murray' strategy needs rethink: study" ANU Media Release, 6 November 2006
  » view article [PDF, 115KB]

Highlighted publications

Selected publications

• Yamazaki, S., T. Kompas and R.Q. Grafton. Output versus Input Controls under Uncertainty: The Case of a Fishery. Natural Resource Modeling, Volume 22, Number 2, May 2009.
  »view publication [PDF, 5544KB]
• Connell, D. and R.Q. Grafton. Planning for Water Security in the Murray-Darling Basin. Public Policy 3(1): 67-86, 2008.
  » view publication [PDF, 278KB]
• Tran, B., R.Q. Grafton and T. Kompas. Institutions Matter: The Case of Vietnam. Journal of Socio-Economics 38: 1-12, 2009.
  » view publication [PDF, 818KB]
• Bich, T., R.Q. Grafton and T. Kompas. Firm Efficiency in a Transition Economy: Evidence from Vietnam. Asian Economic Journal 22(1): 47-66, 2008.
  » view publication [PDF, 124KB]
• Grafton, R.Q., Hilborn, R. Ridgeway L., Squires D., Williams M., Garcia S., Groves T., Joseph J., Kelleher K., Kompas T., Libecap G., Lundin C-G, Makino, M., Matthiasson T., McLoughlin R., Parma, A., San Martin, G., Satia, B., Schmidt C-C, Tait, M., Zhang L. Positioning Fisheries in a Changing World. Marine Policy 42(4): 630-634, 2008.
  »view publication [PDF, 61KB]
• Kompas, T., T.N. Che and R.Q. Grafton. Fisheries Instrument Choice under Uncertainty. Land Economics 84(4): 652-666, 2008.
  » view publication [PDF, 274KB]
• Tacconi, L., F. Jotzo and R.Q. Grafton. Local Causes, Regional Co-operation and Global Financing for Environmental Problems: the Case of Southeast Asian Haze Pollution. International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics 8:1-16, 2008.
  »view publication [PDF, 210KB]
• Grafton, R.Q., T. Kompas and P. Dorian Owen. Bridging the Barriers: Knowledge Connections, Productivity and Capital Accumulation. Journal of Productivity Analysis 28: 219-231, 2007.
  » view publication [PDF, 261KB]
• Grafton, R.Q. and K. Hussey. Buying Back the Murray: At What Price? Australasian Journal of Environmental Management 14(2): 74-81, 2007.
  » view publication [PDF, 116KB]
• Parris, H., Grafton, R.Q., Can Tuna Promote Sustainable Development in the Pacific? The Journal of Environment & Development. 15(3) 269-296, 2006.
  » view publication
• Fox, K.J., Grafton, R.Q., Kompas, T., Nhu Che, T. Capacity reduction, quota trading and productivity: the case of a fishery. The Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics 50: 189-206, 2006.
  » view publication [PDF, 296KB]
• Grafton, R.Q., et al. Incentive-based approaches to sustainable fisheries. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 63: 699-710, 2006.
  » View online [PDF, 112KB]
• Grafton, R.Q. What Restoration Schemes Can Do. Or, Getting It Right Without Fisheries Transferable Quotas. Ocean Development & International Law 36: 383-387, 2005.
  » view publication [PDF, 58KB]
• Grafton, R.Q. and Kompas, T. Uncertainty and the active adaptive management of marine reserves. Marine Policy. 29: 471-479, 2005.
  » view publication [PDF, 298KB]
• Grafton, R.Q. Social capital and fisheries governance. Ocean & Coastal Management. 48: 753-766, 2005.
  » view publication [PDF, 180KB]
• Grafton, R.Q. T. Kompas and D. Lindenmayer. Marine Reserves with Ecological Uncertainty. Bulletin of Mathematical Biology 67:957-971.
  » view publication [PDF, 609KB]
• Dupont, D.P., K.J. Fox, D.V. Gordon and R.Q. Grafton. Profit and Price Effects of Multi-species Individual Transferable Quotas. Journal of Agricultural Economics 56 No. 1; 31-577, 2005.
  » view publication [PDF, 358KB]
• Grafton, R.Q. and T. Kompas. Uncertainty and the Active Adaptive Management of Marine Reserves. Marine Policy 29: 471-479, 2005.
  » view publication [PDF, 227KB]
• Grafton, R.Q., T. Kompas and V. Schneider.  The Bioeconomics of Marine Reserves: A Selected Review with Policy Implications. Journal of Bioeconomics 7: 161-178 .
  » view publication [PDF, 100KB]
• Grafton, R.Q. and S. Knowles. Social Capital and National Environmental Performance: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Journal of Environment and Development 13(4): 336-370, 2004.
  » view publication [PDF, 162KB]
• Grafton, R.Q., F. Jotzo and M. Wasson. Financing SD: Country Undertakings and Rights for Environmental Sustainability. Ecological Economics 51(1-2): 65-78, 2004.
  » view publication [PDF, 271KB]
• Kompas, T., T. N. Che and R.Q. Grafton.  Technical Efficiency Effects of Input Controls: Evidence from Australia's Banana Prawn Fishery. Applied Economics 36: 1631-1641, 2004.
  » view publication [PDF, 133KB]
• Chand, S, R.Q. Grafton and E. Petersen, Multilateral Governance of Fisheries Management and Cooperation in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries. Marine Resource Economics 18(4): 329-344, 2003.
• Sandal, L., S.I. Steinshamn and R.Q. Grafton. “More is less”: the tax Effects of Ignoring Flow Externalities. Resource and Energy Economics 25: 239-254, 2003.
  » view publication [PDF, 146KB]
• Day, K.M. and R.Q. Grafton. Growth and the Environment in Canada: An Empirical Analysis. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 51: 197-216, 2003.
  » view publication [PDF, 82KB]
• Squires, D., R.Q. Grafton, M.F. Alam, and I.H. Omar. Technical Efficiency in the Malaysian gill net artisanal fishery. Environment and Development Economics 8: 481-504, 2003.
• R.Q. Grafton. Property and Resource Management in Australia: Rights and Responsibilities. Australian Journal of Environmental Management 10: 70-72, 2003.
• Dupont, D.P., R.Q. Grafton, J. Kirkley and D. Squires. Capacity Utilization Measures and Excess Capacity in Multi-Product Privatized Fisheries. Resource and Energy Economics 24: 193-210, 2002.
  » view publication [PDF, 166KB]
• Dupont, D. and R.Q. Grafton. Multispecies Individual Transferable Quotas: The Scotia-Fundy Mobile Gear Groundfishery. Marine Resource Economics 15: 205-220, 2001.
• Fox, K.J. and R.Q. Grafton. Nonparametric Estimation of Returns to Scale: Method and Application. Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics 48: 341-354, 2000.
• Grafton, R.Q. Governance of the Commons: A Role for the State? Land Economics. 76(4): 504-517, November 2000.
• Devlin, R.A., Grafton, R.Q. and D. Rowlands, Rights and Wrongs: A Property Rights Perspective of Russia’s Market Reforms, The Antitrust Bulletin: 275-296, Spring 1998.
• Grafton, R.Q. and D.E. Lane, Canadian Fisheries Policy: Challenges and Choices, Canadian Public Policy 24: 133-148, 1998.
• Grafton, R.Q ., R.W. Lynch and H.W. Nelson, British Columbia’s Stumpage System: Economic and Trade Policy Implications, Canadian Public Policy 24: S41-50, 1998.
• Squires, D. H. Campbell, S. Cunningham, C. Dewees, R.Q. Grafton, S.F. Herrick Jnr., J. Kirkley, S. Pascoe, K. Salvanes, B. Shallard, B. Turris and N. Vestergaard, Individual Transferable Quotas in Multispecies Fisheries, Marine Policy 22(2): 135-159, 1998.
• Foulo, T. and R.Q. Grafton, Structural Adjustment in Lesotho: An Evaluation, Journal of Policy Modeling 20: 791-814, 1998.
• Grafton, R.Q ., T. Hazledine and B. Butchardt, The New Zealand Economic Revolution: Lessons for Canada? Canadian Business Economics 6(Fall): 3-19, 1997.
• Grafton, R.Q. and J. Silva-Echenique, How to Manage Nature? Strategies, Predator-Prey Models and Chaos, Marine Resource Economics 12: 127-143, 1997.
• Grafton, R.Q. and H.W. Nelson, Fishers’ Individual Salmon Harvesting Rights: An Option for Canada’s Pacific Fisheries, Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 54(February): 474-482, 1997.
• Grafton, R.Q ., D. Squires and J. Kirkley, Turning the Tide? Private Property Rights and the Crises in World Fisheries, Contemporary Economic Policy 14(4): 90-99, 1996.
• Grafton, R.Q . Implications of Taxing Quota in an Individual Transferable Quota Fishery: A Comment, Marine Resource Economics 11: 125-127, 1996.
• Grafton, R.Q. and D. Rowlands, Development Impeding Institutions: The Political Economy of Haiti, Canadian Journal of Development Studies 17(2): 261-278, 1996.
• Grafton, R.Q. and R.A. Devlin, Paying for Pollution: Permits and Charges, Scandinavian Journal of Economics 98(2): 275-288, 1996.
• Grafton, R.Q. , Experiences with Individual Transferable Quotas: An Overview, Canadian Journal of Economics 29: s135-138, 1996.
• Devlin, R.A. and R.Q. Grafton, Marketable Emission Permits: Efficiency, Profitability and Substitutability, Canadian Journal of Economics 29: s260-264, 1996.
• Grafton, R.Q. Individual Transferable Quotas: Theory and Practice, Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries 6: 5-20, 1996.
• Grafton, R.Q. Rent Capture in a Rights-Based Fishery, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management 28(1): 48-67, 1995.
  » view publication [PDF, 1053KB]
• Grafton, R.Q ., A Note on Uncertainty and Rent Capture in an ITQ Fishery, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, 27(3): 286-294, 1994
  » view publication [PDF, 458KB]

Selected books