Management of tropical coastal fisheries in Asia: an overview of key challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Coastal fisheries are an important component of the fisheries sector and rural economy of tropical developing countries in Asia - generating food, employment and foreign exchange. In 1994, marine landings of these countries were about 13.3 million t (roughly 16% of the world's marine landings), most originating from coastal areas. Thecoastal fishery resources consist dominantly of species which relatively high growth, natural mortality turnover rates; and exhibit maximum abundance in shallow water (less than 50 m). Fishers use a multiplicity of gears, with heavy concentration in nearshore areas where abundance catch rates and shrimp availability are highest. Themanagement of these coastal fisheries attempts to promote three main objectives: 1) productivity/efficiency, 2) distribution equity and 3) environmental integrity. Efficient institutional/administrative arrangements are sought to attain these objectives and to maintain a balance among them.