Community-Based Management of Fishery Resources in the Caribbean

Abstract

"Modern fisheries management strategies, such as closed areas and seasons, quality of catch and gear restrictions, have not yielded the expected and desired results in the small islands of the Caribbean, the Lesser Antilles. Even though the commercial, nearshore, demersal and reef resources are fully exploited or overfished, little or no effort is being made to observe or enforce current management regulations. This paper examines the approach and application of community-based management as a strategy for resolving the 'commons problem' created by the open access fisheries of the Lesser Antilles.

"A major conclusion is that community-based management can be applied to the small-scale fisheries of the Caribbean through existing legal and institutional structures and with certain changes in policies. The experience which is lacking can only be gained through trial and error and by building on the existing traditional practices being observed by fishermen. Community-based management would form the backbone for fisheries management, to be supported by modern management strategies. National fisheries management bodies will have to change their functions in that they will now provide advice and technical assistance to the holders of the exclusive-use rights, who will manage the resource in conjunction with the diverse interest groups of the coastal community."