Yasuhisa Kato Kagoshima University Issueson Coastal Fisheries Management in 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?

CharacteristicsTemperate areasTropical Areas ProductivityRelatively richRelatively poor (rich in inland water ecosystem) Species compositionLarge amount by dominant species Small amount of several non-dominant species 1. Difference in Ecosystem

CharacteristicsTemperate AreasTropical Areas Size of Fishing Boats More than 100 G/TLess 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 OperationLong range & long durationDaily 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!