Community-based Co-management in Vietnamese fisheries. The case of the Fisheries Associations in Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon

Abstract

The open access fisheries regime has led to the degradation of marine resources and to conflicts in sharing them and the fishing grounds in Tam Giang Cau Hai lagoon in Thua Thien Hue, Vietnam. In 2003, community-based fisheries management (CBFM), particularly through Fisheries Associations (FA), was introduced and established. As of 2011, there were 62 local FAs. It means that local FAs have played an important role in the implementation of CBFM and as a major partner of the Government in protection of aquatic resource and fisheries management. This master thesis is based on primary data collected through a questionnaire survey and interviews of key informants. In addition, secondary data and literature on Co-management, fisheries management and transaction-costs were used to supplement missing parts. This study highlights the demands of implementation, level of awareness and participation, effectiveness and weakness and methods for measuring the transaction costs in Giang Xuan FA in particular and fisheries Co-management system in general.

This study presents the existing legal framework, which is quite clear and innovative for supporting CBFM development and implementation. However, some constraints still prevail, such as low education, lack of budget and a low rate of women participation in Giang Xuan FA. Most of Giang Xuan FA members are satisfied with implementation, fishing laws (regulation), responsibilities, and establishment of the FA. Awareness of FA members about fishing laws varies, while the awareness of regulation of FA is strong. Particularly, fishers’ income has increased. However, FA members are still passive in developing action plans and providing ideas. Their roles are still limited in terms of providing suggestion and recommendation in monitoring and evaluating the management process.

Moreover, this study demonstrates the transaction cost concept and approach for assessing such costs in fisheries Co-management systems. Transaction costs in fisheries Co-management are total cost of three items that consist of information collection, collective fisheries decision-making, and collective operation. There are three Stages in incurring of transaction costs in fisheries Co-management. Stage I mainly focuses on meeting/discussion and recognition new management regime. Stage II mainly focuses on improved education and amendment of regulations, whereas Stage III concentrates on monitoring and patrolling. The transaction cost in Stage III is lower than Stage I and II in Giang Xuan FA. As a conclusion some recommendations are given for improving local FAs systems and implementation of CBFM.