Yasuhisa Kato

Kagoshima University

Issues Issues on on

Coastal Fisheries Management Coastal Fisheries Management in Tropical Coastal Fisheriesin Tropical Coastal Fisheries

Short history of fisheries management since 1980s

International momentum on sustainable fisheries started in 1990s

MSY based resource management has been the only widely recognized fisheries management system

But, it has been recognized various uncertainties of fisheries resources in promoting stock assessment driven resource management system

International Activities on Sustainable Use of Fisheries Resources

Globalization further promoted fisheries sustainable issues but in top-down manner

MSY based resource management method has also been promoted in the process of globalization but with the assumption that the system can be applicable anywhere in the world

Only about 20 countries in temperate areas in the world could so far develop “resource management” system in various levels of success

Fisheries Globalization further Promoted Sustainability Issues

International fisheries society has so far paid more attention on large scale fisheries including those operating in high seas when they discuss about fisheries management

80% of fisheries production is from developing countries, majority of which come from tropical aquatic ecosystem

Issues related to the sustainability of tropical fisheries has to be given more attention, if global goal on sustainable fisheries is really envisaged

The need to develop fisheries management system based on specificities of tropical fisheries has never been internationally highlighted

Less Attention on Sustainability of Tropical Fisheries

There are differences in fisheries between temperate and tropical areas using the cases in Southeast Asian region (16% of global production)

Ecosystem

Fisheries Structure

Social and Economic situation in relation to fisheries

What are the Tropical Fisheries?

Characteristics Temperate areas Tropical Areas

Productivity Relatively rich Relatively poor (rich in inland water ecosystem)

Species composition Large amount by dominant species

Small amount of several non-dominant species

1. Difference in Ecosystem

Characteristics Temperate Areas Tropical Areas

Size of Fishing Boats

More than 100 G/T Less than 100 G/T,

90% of boats <5 G/T

Number of Fishing Boats

Relatively small number:

Order of 1,000~10,000

Large number:

Order of 100,000~1,000,000

Name of Fisheries

Named after target species: Cod, Salmon, Herring Fisheries

Named after fishing gears used: Trawl, Purse Seine Fisheries

Operation Long range & long duration Daily operation

2. Difference in Fishing Structure

Based on different ecosystems and fisheries structures, fisheries in the Southeast Asian region have much closer links with their bases, fishing communities

MSY empirical model focused on resources not on the social and economic factors including communities and people

3. Difference in Social and Economic Situation

Fisheries is a special industry using renewable common natural resources, operated under the “open access” regime

Two unique but problematic conditions in fisheries compared with other industries:

1)Unclear ownership of the resources

2)Government intervention for its management

Unique Conditions of Fisheries

Unclear ownership makes fishers irresponsible for their conduct

Government management intervention in top-down manner makes fishers take third party’s position of their involvement in the fisheries management efforts

Modification of these two unique conditions should therefore be considered as a critical issue in achieving sustainable fisheries

Need to Modify These Two Unique Conditions to Achieve

Sustainable Fisheries

1) Unclear ownership

Introduction of right-based fisheries: group user right for coastal fisheries

2) Government management intervention

Delegation of management responsibility/ right to resource users

Proposed Modification of these Unique Conditions

Change from “open access” to “regulated entry system” promoting right-based fisheries that enhance the sense of ownership by fishers

Delegation of management responsibility/right to resource users enhances the sense of responsibility for the fishers’ conduct

Institution building for fishers at community level is a key issue to promote co-management of the fisheries with large number of people involved

Considerations on Alternate Fisheries Management System

Regional Fisheries Policy, “Resolution & Plan of Action” adopted at the 2001 ASEAN-SEAFDEC Millennium Conference, specified two clear directions toward effective fisheries management: “Delegation of fisheries management authority to local level” and “Introduction of Right-Based fisheries”

Southeast Asian region has developed the “Regional Guidelines on Co-Management Using Group User Rights (2006)” based on the above policy directive

Regional Policy

a) Fisheries management system has to be based on stock size, and

b) Fisheries management is a scientific work

These views prevent the development of fisheries management system that delegates the management rights to local people mobilizing “local knowledge

Different requirements for resource management and for Alternate Fisheries Management System for tropical coastal fisheries has to be clarified

Backlash of Resource Management

Many initiatives have been undertaken to develop fisheries management system based on the specific elements of tropical fisheries, especially for small-scale fisheries, but these efforts are not well coordinated even within the country or in the region

Co-management system developed in Vietnam is challenging initiative

If the system is successfully implemented, it can be a good model of the fisheries management for tropical coastal fisheries

Conclusion

Thank you!