Achieving sustainability in US fisheries: community engagement in co-management

Abstract

The United States government is moving toward a co-management model to fishery governance based on stakeholder engagement. As essential stakeholders, the participation of local fishermen and their communities is fundamental for the efficiency and effectiveness of regulations and the sustainability of the nation's fisheries. However, the emphasis on stakeholder engagement is a substantial barrier to local participation. The author situates this barrier in the overriding assumption of US fishery governance, which considers individuals the key local actors in resource management. Nonetheless, existing fishery governance frameworks have produced intriguing alternative policy instruments. One such alternative, Community Development Quotas, may serve as a platform for the empowerment of local communities and, as a result, the encouragement of sustainable fishing and development in coastal areas. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.