Community Based Fisheries Management - Marine Conservation ...

The Need for Alternative FisheriesManagementCoastal fishing communities are in trouble. The sense of place and thetraditional connection of community residents to marine resources arevanishing. Current management systems are undermining theecological, social and economic basis of community sustainability. Inmany cases this has contributed to the exhaustion of resources,decreased biological diversity, and the loss of a way of life that formsthe basis of much of our history and culture. Increased absenteeownership and capital costs deny the traditional entry of futuregenerations from coastal communities. The community's knowledge of,economic dependence upon, and attachment to fisheries resources isessential to promoting a strong sense of stewardship. There is anational and an international interest in maintaining healthy, dynamicand diverse coastal communities.