Who benefits from fisheries co-management? A case study in Lake Chiuta, Malawi. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Donda, Steve
• Is Part Of: Marine policy. Volume 80(2017)
• Page Start: 147
• Page End: 153
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Costs and benefits of neoliberal delegation -- Co-management; Marine resources -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Aspect économique -- Périodiques; Pêches -- Périodiques; Fisheries; Marine resources -- Economic aspects; Periodicals; 333.916405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2016.10.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-597X

Abstract

Abstract: The fisheries management policy shift towards resource user participation in Malawi in the early 1990s resulted in mixed benefits among small-scale fishers, with many applauding the changes. This paper considers the impacts of these policy changes on government and within the fishing communities around Lake Chiuta whose fisheries co-management experience is considered successful. Benefits to the communities range from gaining government support in excluding non-local fishers using destructive fishing gear to increased household incomes and improved livelihoods, while benefits to government range from taking credit for establishing a sustainable fishery and co-management arrangements to reduced resource management costs. Community costs include financial resources and time spent by resource user representative organisations in enforcing fishing regulations. These findings enable a more balanced assessment of neoliberal claims about the benefits of delegating management responsibilities and downloading costs of management onto fishing communities and organisations. Highlights: The role of government is central in the successful operation of co-management. Neoliberalisation led to the downloading of most regulatory costs onto communities. Co-management arrangements can benefit government without overburdening communities.