Preferences of inland fishers for different management attributes in village tank cascade systems in Sri Lanka

Abstract

CONTEXTA greater potential exists for developing culture-based fisheries (CBF) in village tank cascade systems (VTCS). A well-defined sustainable fishery management approach that is accepted and supported by the community is vital to enhance financial gains from an underutilized resource without compromising the social and environmental sustainability of the system. OBJECTIVESThe objectives of the study were to assess the fishers' preferences for different management attributes and their willingness to pay (WTP) for a sustainable management approach. The effects of socio-demographic characteristics and trust in the institution in determining the WTP were also explored. The study also computed the transaction cost and net gains from fisheries in tanks in selected VTCS in the Dry and Intermediate zones in Sri Lanka. METHODSFisheries management approaches differ in terms of their management structure, frequency of stocking, and restrictions on fishing. Fishers' preferences for these attributes and their WTP were assessed using the choice-based conjoint analysis (CBCA) method. A conditional logit model was used for the estimation of data obtained from 150 fishers in five tanks in VTCS. Transaction cost and net gains from fishing were estimated using standard measures. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe results suggest that fishers are most concerned about the institution that governs fishing. They have a strong preference for aquaculture management committee (AMC). They also would be willing to pay more to a management approach that places time restrictions than an approach with quantity restrictions. Fishers would be willing to pay an additional 275 LKR annually for a sustainable fishery management approach. The heterogeneity of fishers' preferences is explained by their trust in the community organization under which the fishing is managed and the level of income they derive from fishing. The estimates of the net gains from fishing explain the fishers' preferences for AMC over the other management approaches. The individual gains from fishing far exceed the sum of transaction and production costs under an AMC approach. SIGNIFICANCEThe results of this study contribute to a better understanding of fishers' preferences for different management attributes and their WTP for a sustainable fisheries management approach. To enhance community participation in fisheries management in VTCS, management approach needs to be aligned with the fishers' preferences. Since a preference for fishing regulated by the community exists, authorities can initiate the promotion of CBF in small tanks in VTCS.