Guidelines for Fisheries Co-managment
Jan 01, 2009
- Description
These guidelines for fisheries co-management are important steps towards building the technical capacity to manage capture fisheries and conserve aquatic biodiversity in Lao PDR. The guidelines are the result of collaboration between Department of Livestock and Fisheries and the WWF. The steps outlined in this book are based upon the field experience of these partners in the development and extension of fisheries co-management in Lao PDR. The guidelines will also be an important tool in the implementation of the Fisheries Law currently being drafted by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The steps for establishing participatory aquatic resources management outlined in this document describe how to organize and establish an official agreement on the local-level management of aquatic resources. Rather than offer strict guidelines, they should be seen as steps in a flexible process that encourages full participation of stakeholders, promotes local ownership, and meets the requirements for formal recognition of participatory aquatic resources management and authorization of the power to enforce village regulations. It is important to remember that the results of this process will be a set of rules intended to meet specific objectives and address problems identified by local stakeholders. Naturally it will be important to review these regulations on a regular basis (at least once every 3 years) to assess progress towards meeting the set objectives, as well as to identify new problems or challenges that may have emerged concerning the management and use of aquatic resources. These local management arrangements therefore, may need to be periodically revised based upon the results of regular review of current status and threats to the aquatic resources.
