Evidence of success and rationale for increased investment

In Bangladesh, improved management of small-scale fisheries through local committees has significantly increased benefits to the communities. Under local governance, voluntary limits on fishing were imposed and conservation measures were implemented, resulting in increased fish production (by up to 29%), higher income for local families, and greater diversity of fish species in local waters. The CGIAR called this project, implemented by WorldFish with strong NGO and donor support, an “eminently replicable model for contemporary rural development.”

Community-based management and co-management arrangements are now frequently promoted as part of governance reforms. The U.N. Food and Agriculture’s “Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries” is gaining greater acceptance.

Key publications:

Fishing for the Future - Women in Community-based Fisheries Management (2006 / PDF 1.69 MB)