Spring is here, and Neha and her dad would like to go fishing for the weekend in Vermont. Neha could either go to the lake in town where anyone can fish without a permit, or she could drive up to a pond located on her family's property in the countryside to fish. Assume that, no matter where people fish, all of the fish that are caught would be kept (that is, there is no "catch and release" policy).

The fish in the river are considered (nonrival in consumption; rival in consumption) and (excludable; nonexcludable) whereas the fish in the private stream are (nonrival in consumtion; rival in consumption) and (excludable; nonexcludable) . In other words, the fish in the river are an example of (a public good; a private good; a common resource; a club good), and the fish in the private stream are an example of (a public good; a private good; a common resource; a club good).

Fishing in the river will likely lead to (moral hazard; the Tragedy of the Commons; the free-rider problem) because of which of the following reasons?

a. Nobody will enjoy fishing because of the lack of private contributions to the maintenance of the river.
b. Anyone can fish in the river, and one person's fishing activity decreases the ability of someone else to fish with success.
c. All fishermen will choose to fish in the stream believing that there are more fish there.
d. All fishermen will choose to fish in the river because of the limited access to the stream.

The correct answer is option (b) "Anyone can fish in the river, and one person's fishing activity decreases the ability of someone else to fish with success".

Explanation:

Fishing is a common activity carried out on a daily basis. Some people take it as occupation while some take it as catching fun.

Fishing can be done in public river where there is no restriction and in the pond for private owners.

Since there is no restriction for fishing in the river, there are some disadvantages.

The large number of people fishing at the same time can decrease the ability of someone else to fish with success. Also, you might not be able to catch enough fish.