Indian Ocean fisheries regulation: exploring participatory approaches to support small-scale fisheries in six States

ABSTRACT

In the Indian Ocean region fish and other marine living resources are vital for food security, local livelihoods, national economies, and future development opportunities. Of particular importance is the small-scale fishing sector, which supplies food and employment for many local people and coastal communities. To ensure the longevity of artisanal and subsistence fisheries, and healthy oceans and marine living resources, improved legal governance is critical. Most Indian Ocean States have adopted fisheries laws to achieve this goal, yet successfully balancing conservation and sustainable use of marine resources remains a challenge. To enhance fisheries laws in efficient, effective and equitable ways, inclusive governance approaches are needed. This article analyses fisheries laws in six Indian Ocean States, and critically assesses the incorporation of participatory approaches that support small-scale fisheries. The comparative analysis provides a resource that will assist States in identifying legal options to enhance public participation and inclusive fisheries governance.

KEYWORDS:

• Fisheries regulation
• small-scale fisheries
• Indian Ocean
• public participation

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the peer reviewers and editor for comments and feedback on this paper, which have greatly improved it.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Erika Techera is a Professor of Law at the University of Western Australia. She was formerly Dean of the UWA Faculty of Law and Director of the UWA Oceans Institute. She is a Research Fellow in the Perth US Asia Centre. Dr Techera’s main research focuses on international and comparative marine environmental law in the Indian Ocean region, particularly legal frameworks to support blue economy goals.

ORCID

Erika Techera http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8283-2967

Notes

1 In addition, there are several Indian Ocean dependent territories of the United Kingdom and France.

2 The Rio Declaration also emphasized the vital role women play in environmental management and encouraged their full participation in achieving sustainable development: Principle 20.

3 Marine protected areas are predominantly governed by the Marine Parks and Reserves Act 1994.