Toward management of shared stocks in the South China Sea region

Abstract

Fisheries in the South China Sea region have shown rapid development in the last two decades. Landings of the eight countries of Southeast Asia bordering the South China Sea have grown from 4.1 million tonnes in 1975 to 7.2 million tonnes in 1995, or an increase of 75% in the last two decades. Increased fishing pressure in coastal areas had brought about stagnant catches of shrimp in some individual countries, while allocations of tuna fishing effort by Indonesia or neighbouring countries indicated that high fishing pressure for tuna occurred in some countries. This trend of development and the momentum arises from the current progress in the negotiation and establishment of an organization that deals with tuna resources in the Indian Ocean and the western and central Pacific, should eventually lead to the initiative of management of shared stock in the region. General requirements and steps in the management of shared stocks are described as an attempt to promote understanding among potential participating countries in this venture.