The Influence of Leadership in Fisheries Co-Management: The Case of Tam Giang Lagoon, Vietnam

Abstract

ABSTRACTLeadership has been documented as one of the factors affecting successful fisheries co-management, yet the attributes of good leadership in fishing communities need more analysis. This study investigates the influence of the leaders of fishers’ organizations on fishers’ participation in co-management in Tam Giang Lagoon, Vietnam, and analyzes the elements that make a leader influential in that context. The findings show correlation between the fishers’ level of trust in their leaders and the participation of fishers in co-management. Six attributes give leaders influence over fishers: (1) fairness, (2) accountability, (3) acting as a role model, (4) being a “servant leader” (one who focuses on the needs of others), (5) professional competencies (resource knowledge and management skills), and (6) social qualities (ethical, moral, understanding the community, relation with community). The study has implications for selection of appropriate leaders and human resource development in fishery associations.