Territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) have existed for centuries. They are widely available for sedentary resources. In addition, however, they have appeared in a number of marine fisheries in traditional communities and are also being acquired, legally or extra-legally, for such techniques as floating fish aggregation devices and other forms of fixed gear. TURFs provide interesting opportunities for dealing with two major aspects of fisheries management -efficient production of net benefits and equitable distribution of benefits. Further exploration of the possible adoption of TURFs as a means for management seem desirable. This paper explores some of the definitional elements of TURFs and the distinctions between territorial rights and common property. It also exercises some of the conditions that may have an effect on the creation and maintenance of TURFs. And it discusses briefly some of the implications for equitable distribution of benefits.

The third and main section of the document discusses ways of increasing the contribution of small-scale fisheries to poverty alleviation and food security through nine main entry points. First, the paper revisits conventional fisheries policies and legislation and makes suggestions on how those can be made more pro-poor. Next, the paper emphasizes the importance of capacity building and highlights how cross-sectoral interventions can greatly improve the livelihoods of fish-dependent communities. The paper then proposes a series of broad pro-poor or pro-small-scale fisheries principles, before discussing in greater detail three of the main management instruments adopted in fisheries: (i) property right approaches; (ii) co-management; and (iii) protected areas. The next two sub-sections discuss markets and how to make them work for the poor, and the important issue of pro-poor financing systems and subsidies.

This handbook is the most comprehensive and interdisciplinary work on marine conservation and fisheries management ever compiled. It is the first to bridge fisheries and marine conservation issues. Its innovative ideas, detailed case studies, and governance framework provide a global special perspective over time and treat problems in the high seas, community fisheries, industrial fishing, and the many interactions between use and non-use of the oceans. Its policy tools and ideas for overcoming the perennial problems of over fishing, habitat and biodiversity loss address the facts that many marine ecosystems are in decline and plagued by overexploitation due to unsustainable fishing practices. An outstanding feature of the book is the detailed case-studies on conservation practice and fisheries management from around the world. These case studies are combined with 'foundation' chapters that provide an overview of the state of the marine world and innovative and far reaching perspectives about how we can move forward to face present and future challenges. The contributors include the world's leading fisheries scientists, economists, and managers. Ecosystem and incentive-based approaches are described and complemented by tools for cooperative, participatory solutions. Unique themes treated: fisher behavior and incentives for management beyond rights-based approaches; a synthesis of proposed 'solutions'; a framework for understanding and overcoming the critical determinants of the decline in fisheries, degradation of marine ecosystems, and poor socio-economic performance of many fishing communities; models for innovative policy instruments; a plan of action and adoption pathways to promote sustainable fishing practices globally. Collectively, the handbook's many valuable contributions offer a way forward to both understanding and resolving the multifaceted problems facing the world's oceans.

Territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs) have existed for centuries. They are widely available for sedentary resources. In addition, however, they have appeared in a number of marine fisheries in traditional communities and are also being acquired, legally or extra-legally, for such techniques as floating fish aggregation devices and other forms of fixed gear. TURFs provide interesting opportunities for dealing with two major aspects of fisheries management -efficient production of net benefits and equitable distribution of benefits. Further exploration of the possible adoption of TURFs as a means for management seem desirable. This paper explores some of the definitional elements of TURFs and the distinctions between territorial rights and common property. It also exercises some of the conditions that may have an effect on the creation and maintenance of TURFs. And it discusses briefly some of the implications for equitable distribution of benefits.

The genesis of this conference was on a quay of the port of Bergen in March 1985. Ragnar Amason suggested to Phil Neher a small, mid-Atlantic conference on recent developments in fishery management. In the event, more than twenty papers were scheduled and over one hundred and fifty conferees were registered. Logistical complications were sorted through for a summer 1988 conference in Iceland. The really innovative management programs were in the South Pacific; Aus tralia and New Zealand had introduced Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs); and Iceland, Norway and Canada were also experimenting with quotas. It seemed to the program committee (Rognvaldur Hannesson and Geoffrey Waugh were soon on board) that these quotas had more or less characteristics of property rights. Property rights were also taking other forms in other places (time and area licenses, restrictive licensing of vessels and gear, traditional use rights). The idea of rights based fishing became the theme of the conference.

This special issue focuses on the Scientific forum held at the beginning of the International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which took place in Interlaken, Switzerland, in September 2007