The Importance of Diverse Governance Mechanisms in Facilitating Sustainable Subsistence Fisheries in the Indo-Pacific

Throughout the Indo-Pacific, the world’s most biodiverse marine system, a wide variety of state, market and cultural factors influence marine resource use patterns. Fisheries in the Wakatobi Marine National Park, Indonesia, are characteristic of those in many parts of the Indo-Pacific, and local citizens and external organizations alike are attempting to implement management schemes to reduce overfishing. This project examined the fisheries governance institutions in existence in human communities of the Wakatobi to determine the most effective means of management for the region. Our objectives were to 1) identify governance institutions influencing marine resource use patterns, 2) analyze the relative importance of each institution, and 3) determine the institutions, or suite of institutions, most capable of promoting the sustainable use of marine resources in the region. A five year study was conducted to expand on existing ecosystem and catch monitoring programs, whilst regulation schemes were devised to reduce fishing pressure towards maximum sustainable yield. Community education programs were also conducted to share information regarding regional biota and fishing trends. Knowledge, resulting from education programs and shaped by worldview, was found to be of primary importance in the shift toward sustainable use levels. This understanding moved communities to adopt both state regulations and a market for fishing rights. Effective implementation of these schemes, however, has been stalled largely because few state resources exist for sufficient enforcement, whilst social capital to connect regional ethnic groups is lacking. Thus, the differential and partially-independent effects of state, market and cultural institutions mean disregard for one or more of these governance systems may lead to unexpected and potentially undesired resource use patterns. We conclude that incorporation of diverse governance mechanisms into management plans will most effectively facilitate sustainable use of fisheries resources in the Indo-Pacific.