This is a foundational step toward establishing fisheries co-management in the region.
The two-day meeting achieved consensus in several areas that are central to co-management, including:
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the type of fisheries co-management that will be established, which guides the relationship between government and resource users in sharing power;
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the functional scope of the co-management association, which will cover areas including business management, addressing illegal fishing, and conflict resolution;
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the primary stakeholders, including fishers, fish processors, government, and change agents;
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the secondary stakeholders, including boat-builders, net-makers, traditional leaders, and scientists;
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the geographical scope in the Bander Beyla District;
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and the establishment of a conflict resolution committee within the co-management association.
Participants also agreed upon the official purpose of the co-management association:
“To support sustainable and effective fisheries management and improve livelihoods in the fishing sector through community involvement in decision-making processes.”
