The Role of Traditional Fishermen Communities and Related Changes in Natural Resource Management of the Tam Giang Lagoon, Vietnam

Abstract

��is �a�er clarifies t�e role of traditional fis�ermen communities and related c�an�es in natural resource mana�ement of t�e �am �ian� La�oon. ��e results of t�is study s�ow t�at t�e "Van", a traditional community of fis�ermen, was or�anized based on �eo�ra��ical closeness, and �ins�i�s s�arin� common ex�eriences of fis�in� in t�e �am �ian� La�oon. ��e "Van" were self-adjusted, its members able to mana�e and ex�loit t�e fis�eries resources of t�e la�oon. Since resource mana�ement �as always been associated wit� t�e "Van" communities, t�e �overnment �as since come to rely on t�e "Van" as a nucleus wit� w�ic� to mana�e t�e la�oon. ��e "Doi �oi", an o�en-door �olicy initiated by t�e Vietnamese �overnment in 19�6 �as been fuelin� ra�id c�an�es in t�e rural society of Vietnam. ��e most si�nificant c�an�e in natural resource mana�ement was t�e establis�ment of Land Law 1993 w�ic� allowed t�e allocation of lands to �ouse�olds. �onsequently, resources w�ic� were �reviously s�ared by t�e communities around t�e la�oon �ave been c�an�in� to �ouse�old owners�i�. ��is increase in �rivate owners�i� �as reduced t�e common fis�in� �round of t�e Sam�an �eo�le and t�us narrowed t�eir access to t�e natural resources on w�ic� t�ey based t�eir liveli�ood. ��is is one of t�e major reasons be�ind t�e mar�inalization of t�e Sam�an �eo�le, w�o �ave sacrificed t�eir �osition of bein� t�e �reatest beneficiaries of t�e la�oon's resources, to bein� t�e �oorest.

Tracing environmental and livelihood dynamics in a tropical coastal lagoon through the lens of multiple adaptive cycles

“…It followed a relatively nomadic life while navigating different fishing grounds, depending on the movement of fish and weather conditions. This lifestyle helped build strong social cohesion among fishers and communities in resource usage and protection (Nguyen and Kim 2011). The van had its foremost power in managing the lagoon resources as emphasized by villagers with "Phep vua thua le lang" (The King's law comes after the village's customs).…”

“…Late growth 1 (r1): Quasi-capitalistic management during the Vietnam War period The lagoon resource usage experienced its first significant and well-documented change during the Vietnam War when the lagoon surface was allowed to be owned and leased out by individuals through auctions (Nguyen and Kim 2011). District governments organized annual auctions open to everyone; however, most fishers, usually van members, were not able to compete because of limited financial capacity while the wealthy, i.e.…”

Fisheries co-management in Vietnam: From theory to practice. Case study in Tam Giang Lagoon

“…As with other countries in Asia (Pomeroy 1995;Makino & Matsuda 2005), there is a long history of traditional fisheries management in Vietnam in general and in Tam Giang lagoon in particular (Nguyen 1996;Ruddle 1998;Nguyen & Kim 2011). To some extent the organisation and functions of the FA network in the co-management system are similar to that of the "van" network in the traditional management system which existed in the lagoon before 1975 (Nguyen 1996;Ruddle 1998).…”

“…aquaculture sub-FA, mobile fishing sub-FA or fish corral sub-FA). Before 1975 "van" were granted with fishing rights and had to pay tax to the village authority and in turn, they could hold long term rights for the use of the auctioned areas (Nguyen & Kim 2011). Currently, FAs are also granted the fishing rights by the government and they are responsible for collecting fees and pay a part of the fee to the government.…”

“…They inspired some members who influenced the others. As fishing communities have very close social relationships (Nguyen and Kim 2011), the influence of the leaders of the communities was a starting point for the community to participate in collective activities. As some fishers in individual interviews and focus groups explained, fishers were likely to be influenced by highly respected people in their community, especially those who were their relatives.…”