Evaluation of social and ecological outcomes of fisheries co-management in Tam Giang Lagoon, Vietnam

Published source details Ho N.T.T., Ross H. & Coutts J. (2016) Evaluation of social and ecological outcomes of fisheries co-management in Tam Giang Lagoon, Vietnam. Fisheries Research, 174, 151-159.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Involve fishers and stakeholders in co-management Action Link

Involve fishers and stakeholders in co-management

A before-and-after study in 2012–2014 of three areas of the Tam Giang Lagoon in the South China Sea, Vietnam (Ho et al. 2016) reported that after the implementation of co-management and territorial rights for fishing, there was a reduction in the number of fishers engaged in illegal activity using destructive fishing gears compared to before. Results were not statistically tested. In all six survey areas and in all but one case, the numbers of violators using destructive fishing gears (such as electric shock and bottom trawls) from both within and outside the lagoon communities were reported to be lower after implementation of co-management (after: maximum of 10 persons and up to 8 boats/day, before: maximum of 50 persons and 15 boats/day). See original paper for data by individual area and violator origin. Co-management was progressively established in the Tam Giang lagoon system (two thirds – 13,860 ha – allocated as co-managed, rest open access) since 2002, resulting in 64 fishery associations, 34 of which also had territorial rights for fishing (first one established 2009). Data were collected between late 2012 to 2014 from surveys of six fishing communities (two each in the north, central and south lagoon areas, 252 randomly selected members of associations), supplementary interviews and focus groups with resource managers and practitioners. Survey respondents were asked whether or not there were changes to a number of social and ecological measures before and after 2009 (selected because the first territorial rights were allocated and all associations established for at least one year).

(Summarised by: Natasha Taylor)