Fisheries Extension Education (2+1)

3.3.1 Introduction

Globalisation of fisheries has increased the demand for fishes. This increased demand caused over exploitation of the resources and brought in competition among fisherfolk for exploiting the depleting resources for economic gains. These events threatened the sustainability of fishery resources in several parts of the world especially in developing countries. This kind of situation will affect small scale fishers and their livelihood. In many developing countries, small-scale fishers are hit by the strinking resource bases because of their low socio-economic status, poor living conditions, poor access to capital and technology to improve their fortunes and lack of opportunities for alternative livelihood means. Despite all these limitations, small-scale fishers still play an important role in local food security in developing countries.

The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) has estimated that almost 70% of the global fish stocks have been fully exploited/over fished. The gap between demand and supply, in respect of fish, is widening nevertheless the production from aquaculture source is increasing. This increasing demand will further escalase fishing pressure and threaten the sustainability of many fishery resources. Such increased fishing pressure will lead to more and more conflicts and the small-scale fishers will be worst affected.

Increased competition for and conflict over scarce fishery resources will further deplete the resources. This situation warrants intervention of improved management strategies to address the twin problems of increasing conflicts and depleting resource bases.

In the last decade, management approaches in this direction have undergone significant transition. Alternative approaches such as privatisation, rights-based management, and community-based management, are in some cases replacing open access and government management systems. Of late, it is recognised that these resources can be better managed, when the fishers and other stakeholders are directly involved in the management of the resources.

FAO code of conduct article 10.1.2. states that “In view of the multiple use of the coastal area, states should ensure that representatives of fisheries sector and fishing communities are consulted in the decision-making processes and involved in the other activities related to coastal area management planning and development.

Hence, any kind of management intervention should recognize the importance of fishers in this process. Thus, the concept of co-management has been evolved.