1. Community-Based Marine Fisheries Management (CFM) Sebastian Mathew International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF) National Seminar on Enhancing Skills for Research & Development in Marine Fisheries 5 to 7 February 2007, CMFRI, Kochi

2. What is ‘Community’? “the concept is one of the most difficult and controversial in modern society….a term which has attracted many different interpretations and has been subjected to wide use and abuse” “the concept is one of the most difficult and controversial in modern society….a term which has attracted many different interpretations and has been subjected to wide use and abuse” –Collins Dictionary of Sociology, 1991

3. What is the nature of Community? Communities may be inclusive of some people and exclusive of others; in some cases community boundaries are rigidly maintained, in others boundaries are more fluid and open Communities may be inclusive of some people and exclusive of others; in some cases community boundaries are rigidly maintained, in others boundaries are more fluid and open

4. ‘Community’ in Indian Legal Instruments Constitution of India treats people of India as a community (Article 39: ownership and control of material resources of the community should be distributed to subserve the common good) Constitution of India treats people of India as a community (Article 39: ownership and control of material resources of the community should be distributed to subserve the common good) MFRAs do not mention ‘community’ MFRAs do not mention ‘community’ Comprehensive Marine Fishing Policy 2004 mentions fishing community in relation to ornamental fishery; coastal protection (mangrove afforestation); and FADs Comprehensive Marine Fishing Policy 2004 mentions fishing community in relation to ornamental fishery; coastal protection (mangrove afforestation); and FADs

5. Marine Fishing Communities in India Can be marine fishing castes-based from a locality or across a region Can be marine fishing castes-based from a locality or across a region Can be customary (those who have been practicing fishing for more than a generation) Can be customary (those who have been practicing fishing for more than a generation) All those people who make a living or make profits from marine fisheries and who are formally registered All those people who make a living or make profits from marine fisheries and who are formally registered All those who actually work on board a fishing vessel, owner(s) and worker(s) included, both resident and migrant All those who actually work on board a fishing vessel, owner(s) and worker(s) included, both resident and migrant All those who work on board a fishing vessel and originating from fishing castes All those who work on board a fishing vessel and originating from fishing castes Workers on board fishing vessels? Owners of fishing vessels? Gear- based? Area-based? Workers on board fishing vessels? Owners of fishing vessels? Gear- based? Area-based?

6. What is Fisheries Management? Operationally, the process of taking decisions and implementing measures, within a legal/institutional framework, at different levels, in relation to: Who to, what to, when to, where to, how to, how long to, how much to, fish, in permutations and combinations, subject to coherent goals, objectives and principles, in a time-bound manner Operationally, the process of taking decisions and implementing measures, within a legal/institutional framework, at different levels, in relation to: Who to, what to, when to, where to, how to, how long to, how much to, fish, in permutations and combinations, subject to coherent goals, objectives and principles, in a time-bound manner

7. Why CFM is Important? Recognize the importance of participatory regimes Recognize the importance of participatory regimes Greater meaning and effectiveness to fisheries management measures, including the possibility of having more effective conflict resolution mechanisms Greater meaning and effectiveness to fisheries management measures, including the possibility of having more effective conflict resolution mechanisms Cost-saving Cost-saving

8. What are the Conditions under which CFM can be Effective? Existence of mature institutions such as associations, trade unions, cooperatives of fishing communities, including women and men Existence of mature institutions such as associations, trade unions, cooperatives of fishing communities, including women and men Existence of enabling legislation for decentralization/devolution, for recognition of local institutions to participate in fisheries management Existence of enabling legislation for decentralization/devolution, for recognition of local institutions to participate in fisheries management

9. What are the Conditions under which CFM may not be Effective? If CFM is conceived only as part of conditionality for multilateral financial assistance If CFM is conceived only as part of conditionality for multilateral financial assistance If CFM is conceived of as exclusionary of women, workers and/or the poor, without taking into account equity aspects of fisheries If CFM is conceived of as exclusionary of women, workers and/or the poor, without taking into account equity aspects of fisheries

10. Conclusion In developing countries such as India where institutions of fishing communities are yet to be well-developed toward undertaking fisheries management, CFM could, at best, be seen as part of co- management regimes where the State at different levels manage fisheries in collaboration with fishing communities In developing countries such as India where institutions of fishing communities are yet to be well-developed toward undertaking fisheries management, CFM could, at best, be seen as part of co- management regimes where the State at different levels manage fisheries in collaboration with fishing communities