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