Michael De Alessi
Director of Natural Resource Policy, Reason Foundation
» Email
» High-Resolution Photo
» Policy Studies
» Op-Eds and Commentary
» Media Contact

Michael De Alessi is the director of natural resource policy at Reason Foundation, a nonprofit think tank advancing free minds and free markets. His research focuses on developing private solutions to water, marine conservation, and wildlife issues.

De Alessi is author of the book Fishing for Solutions (Institute of Economic Affairs, 1998) and is co-editor of the book Marine Resources: Property Rights, Economics and Environment (Elsevier, 2002).

De Alessi, who has testified before numerous legislative bodies, including the National Governors Association, has been published in New Scientist, The Washington Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Journal of Commerce, International Herald Tribune, The Wall Street Journal Europe, and numerous other publications.

De Alessi's previous experience includes serving as director of the Center for Private Conservation at the Competitive Enterprise Institute from 1998 to 2001.

De Alessi holds a received an M.S. in Engineering Economic Systems and a B.A. in Economics Stanford University. He also earned an M.A. in Marine Policy from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami.

Studies by Michael De Alessi

Policy Update 37
Digging Our Way Out of the ANWR Morass: A Performance-Based Approach to Protecting Habitat and Managing Resources
March 2005
By Michael De Alessi
 » Full Text (.pdf)

Policy Study 328
Conservation Through Private Initiative: Harnessing American Ingenuity to Preserve Our Nation’s Resources
January 2005
By Michael De Alessi
 » Full Study (.pdf)
 » Policy Summary (.pdf)

Policy Study 327
Catching the Aquaculture Wave
December 2004
By Michael De Alessi
 » Full Study (.pdf)

Policy Brief 29
Alternate Framework for the US Commission on Ocean Policy
April 2004
By Michael De Alessi
 » Full Brief (.pdf)

Policy Brief 28
Overcoming Three Hurdles to IFQs in US Fisheries
April 2004
By Michael De Alessi, et al
 » Full Brief (.pdf)

Policy Study 313
Saving Endangered Species Privately: A Case Study of Earth Sanctuaries, Ltd.
August 2003
By Michael De Alessi
 » Full Study (.pdf)

Policy Brief 24
Removing Muck with Markets: A Case Study on Pollutant Trading for Cleaner Water
August 2003
By Michael De Alessi
 » Full Brief (.pdf)

» return to top

Op-Eds and Commentary by Michael De Alessi

Derailing California's Most Environmentally Progressive Development
Coastal Commission botches Sea Ranch
November 2004 | Reason.com
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

New Zealand the Leader in Healthy Fishing
Letter to the Editor
July 26, 2004 | Santa Barbara News Press
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Resolving Overfishing
Property rights, fishing quotas key
July 2004 | Fraser Forum
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text (.pdf)

Letter to US Commission on Ocean Policy
Individual fishing quotas needed
May 2004 | Reason.org
By Michael De Alessi, Reason, et al
 » Full Text (.pdf)

Oceans Need Innovation, Not Bureaucracy
Stewardship and property rights are essential
April 26, 2004 | Knight Ridder Tribune News
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Ivory Tower Take on Ivory Trade
Elephant poaching
April 2004 | Econ Journal Watch
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text (.pdf)

California's Fishy Fish Laws
Fishing rights can stop overfishing
March 29, 2004 | Tech Central Station
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Processor Quotas Threaten Individual Fishing Quotas
Forcing crab fisheries to sell is bad policy
December 30, 2003 | Anchorage Daily News
By Michael De Alessi, Reason, and Donald Leal
 » Full Text

Endangered Species Act Turns 30
Results few and far between
December 26, 2003 | Washington Times
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Precautionary Principle a Risky Gambit
Risk reduction must be weighed
July 16, 2003 | San Francisco Chronicle
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

One Fish, Two Fish, You Fish, I Fish
Transferable fishing rights can help seas
July 2003 | Fraser Forum
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text (.pdf)

Earth Day
Encourage environmental stewardship and private conservation
April 22, 2003 | Reason.org
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Arrogant and Corrupt
California Coastal Commission should be restructured
April 5, 2003 | Long Beach Press Telegram
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Elephants, Markets, and Mandates
Protecting endangered species
April 2003 | Fraser Forum
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text (.pdf)

Politics As Usual Blocks Water Deal
Farmers, environmentalists can find common ground
December 11, 2002 | San Diego Union-Tribune
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Protecting People and Pachyderms
Conservation and commerce work to help wildlife
December 5, 2002 | Reason.org
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Far From Perfect Deal for San Diego
California water rights need to be better defined
October 18, 2002 | San Diego Union-Tribune
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Resolving Environmental Issues While Improving Water Rights
Peformance measures needed
October 2002 | Reason.org
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

Making People and Environment Better Off in India
Property rights at crux of environmental protection
September 24, 2002 | Tech Central Station
By Michael De Alessi, Reason
 » Full Text

» return to top