State Policies, Transnational Adaptations and Development Future of Coastal Commons in India

Abstract

"The common property nature of coastal commons continues to challenge the governance process in India. The spatial restructuring envisaged in the Indian Marine Fisheries Regulation Act 1980 which partitioned the Indian exclusive economic zone between coastal states and the central government did not succeed enough to resolve complexity of management and needs of various coastal communities. Commons ruined further, economic disparities widened and social conflicts escalated many fold. Nation State blamed its federal counterparts for the degradation of coastal commons and decided to strengthen centralized management authorities further. Policy makers on the other hand strongly believed that more centralized powers and controls are essential to manage the problems and proposed a number of legislations to strengthen Central government’s control over marine commons and to protect the customary rights of traditional fishermen. This paper critically explores the implications of the newly proposed legislations and policies to accommodate and promote transnational interests in coastal commons in India. The paper analyses the salient features of the proposed bills with special reference to the roles envisaged to fisher communities, industrial fishing enterprises and non-governmental organizations in the management of coastal commons. It summarizes the probable risks and opportunities of the shift in policy."