Institutional Strategies and Effective Mechanism of Fisheries Self-governance in Korea

Abstract

s In Korea, the role of FC(Fisheries Cooperatives) in self-governance is of significance for the sustainable development of fisheries. It should be understood from the view that the FC exists for fishing management of inshore and coastal fisheries. It is coastal fisheries consisting mostly of small-scale fishermen that need collaborations of small-scale fishermen in the fishing industry. One of the reasons why the fishermen association FC should have an important role in self-governance is that the spread of self-governance and new fishing and fishery management modes nationwide is the responsibility and role of FC as a deliverer of cooperative movements. Self-governance should be connected to economic projects of FC. As a self-governance is for increased income of fishermen, the scheme should be linked to resources man- agement and raise added value of products, going beyond the establishment of biological resources management. Self-governance is a collaborative movement of fishermen, by which therefore, FC should play its part in the sustainable development of inshore and coastal fisheries. In nature, perfect fisheries self-governance is difficult, so certain government regulations such as limits on access will continue, once fisheries self-governance succeeds. However, the government should boldly reduce and transfer regulations other than the minimum management means, to expand fisheries self-governance. It is important to find cases of conflicts/disputes actively and conduct follow-up management of them in collaboration with local governments, FC, and councils of leaders. Even tasks of which excavation and coordination is completed should be checked for their implementation records on a regular basis and complemented or further adjusted, when necessary. Voluntary restructuring plans by type of inshore and coastal fisheries should be set up and upon request, assessed to promote voluntary participation in consideration of characteristics by business type for coastal fisheries re- structuring, such as collaborative support with local governments.