Management of traditional common fishing grounds: The experience of the Para community, Indonesia

The experience of the Para fishing community in managing its traditional fishing commons is explored. The concepts, methods, challenges to survive, and transformations in the direction of traditional community-based management in coastal fisheries are documented. Some lessons can be extracted from the Para experience that may be useful as an additional perspective in governing new management regimes for sustainable use of fishing commons. Evidence at Para shows that the fishers themselves founded the basis of management, erected an effective organization, constructed the equity share principle, invented and enforced regulations, and meted out the punishments. The delegation of authority in the local community to establish their sea tenure system is considered as a pivotal element in the management of communal property resources.