Factors affecting compliance with rights-based fisheries management in Vietnam

Key Messages

• Proportions of fishers engaging in illegal fishing activities in the lagoon: The use of destructive fishing gears and fishing in protected areas had low rates of non-compliance, but the use of illegal mesh size nets was much more prevalent, with over 50% of fishers engaging in this illegal activity.
• Motivations of compliance: Fishers' awareness of the negative consequences of illegal fishing and their perception of the legitimacy of the regulations were key factors that increased compliance, particularly with the mesh size regulations. Whereas, social norms and instrumental incentives did not significantly influence compliance with the mesh size regulations. Additionally, certain fishers' characteristics, such as younger fishers and more experienced fishers, are more likely to violate regulations, while those with higher education show better compliance.
• Policy implications: some policies can be implemented to improve adherence to regulations: 1) Improve coordination and communication between the Fishery Associations (FAs) to better address poaching from outside the lagoon communities; 2) Encourage fishers to participate in monitoring and patrolling activities, while ensuring their safety; 3) Improve the collaboration between the FAs and government entities to enhance the effectiveness of sanctioning and stopping violators from outside the lagoon communities; 4) Enhance fishers' perception of the legitimacy of the regulations by involving them more in the decision-making processes related to the design and implementation of the management system; 5) promoting awareness campaigns among fishers about the dangers to future fish stocks of harvesting large quantities of small fish through the use of illegal nets; 6) the effective implementation of measures regarding instrumental incentives, such as increasing fines as well as the probability of being caught and sanctioned; and 7) enhancing the important role of the provincial government in supporting and guiding fishers to participate in emerging industries such as ecotourism and community-based tourism.