The future lies in the past Fisheries Management in South Asia

South Asian Society—Key features Society and cultures developed over many centuries Extreme specialisation as basis of livelihoood strategy Caste and Caste like systems dominate society Despite changes in higher level governance systems over centuries, local autonomy and self governance very strong till recently in all regions and sectors

Fishing Communities Caste based occupation Many long stretches/areas occupied by single caste Strong systems of self governance that still persist Right to livelihood as a value co-existing with various social barriers to entry and localised regulations on operations

Self Governance Systems Self Governance spheres: socio-cultural, village administration, livelihood related Many parts of the coast have same governance system managing all three spheres (Orissa case) while some only manage livelihoods (West Bengal) Often localised governance though horizontal and vertical linkages present in some areas (Andhra, Tamil Nadu) to take up issues that transcend local levels Women generally not part of such self governance systems

Post Colonial Developments Major changes in technology and structure of fisheries as a result of State interventions and global market signals State power and resources used to open up access to new actors Rise of new class within fishing communities in many areas Huge increase in capacity over time with serious resource management problems and conflicts between resource users. Fishermen struggles and conflicts force Govt to introduce regulations and take over management responsibilities

Govt controls have not been successful in managing resource or ensuring equity Failure of fisheries dept and fisheries sector to manage fisheries is leading to pressures from environmental organisations New measures like MPAs, long fishing holidays, etc., that threaten livelihood Conservation vs. livelihood

Conflicts with non fishery interests Industrialisation and urbanisation causing damage to coastal ecology and fishing habitat New infrastructure projects on the coast displacing fishermen settlements and affecting access to the sea Extraction of non living resources in the sea also affecting fishing habitat These conflicts are escalating due to pressures of globalisation

Current status of traditional institutions Weakening of traditional system of management and increasing conflicts over resource access and use Village level/landing site level self governance still in place but horizontal and vertical links weakened/destroyed Traditional institutions represent only “artisanal” sector in many areas while representing both “artisanal” and “mechanised” sectors in some areas (Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra) Limitations in managing external environment especially modern state structures

New organisations Given the limitations of the traditional organisations to take on the State and the new actors in the sector, new fisherfolk organisations have emerged Trade Unions, associations that cover longer stretches of coastline, cooperatives, women’s organisations, etc. have emerged Organisations linked to political parties also strong in some states (Kerala) NGOs and other civil society actors also active in fishery institutions

The way forward Recognise the strengths of the traditional organisations at local level and their power of social sanction Use the local traditional organisations as building blocks for a new system of management However higher level functions of building common rules across coast, decide on content of fisheries management, negotiate with Govt, etc., requires modern organisations like unions, associations, gear based groupings, cooperatives and NGOs (Orissa case) New organisations also have greater role to play in representing mechanised boat fishermen A co-management system with traditional village/landing centre based organisations at one end and Govt at the other end mediated by a number of modern organisations is needed. However, fight for rights on coastal lands is a tougher proposition and organisations/networks capable of protecting the coast are not easy to visualise. Support from rest of civil society crucial to undertake this.

In Conclusion Finding a balance between traditional and modern organisations is vital for the future of fisheries management in South Asia Traditional structures as a mechanism for control while modern organisations to provide content to the strucuture and to cover up for weaknesses and limitations of traditional organisations