Enforcing Fishery Laws: The Key to Protecting the Commons

The effectiveness of fishery management policies depends on successful implementation.  Policy implementation often demands that people act sustainably, which sometimes requires people to restrain their behavior.  This paper discusses the essential connection between law enforcement and fishery management and argues that when a strong link between the two exists, natural resources benefit greatly.  This paper is part of a larger AFS compilation of fishery management vignettes, designed to offer perspectives to young and seasoned professionals.  The authors have considerable experience in cooperative fishery management and provide their thoughts about the important need for managers and law enforcement officials to collaborate.