Learning from the Japanese rights-based fisheries system: Managing our small-scale fisheries

Abstract

A discussion is presented on a rights-based fishery management system developed in Japan, considering its application to the Southeast Asian region. Some features of this system may provide guidance to fisheries policy makers and managers involved in the small-scale coastal fisheries of the ASEAN-SEAFDEC member countries. Most notable among these is the combination of an area-based management approach with community user rights. Another important facet of this system is the creation and establishment of effective, financially viable and functioning management institutions at the local level. In these fisheries cooperatives, the fishers can actually take part in decision-making processes regarding the management of their community's coastal aquatic resources.