Institutional Learning and Change Initiative

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Abstract:

For the last five years we have been applying 'adaptive learning' approaches to the management of fisheries systems in South and Southeast Asia. Fisheries, like many renewable natural resources, are often complex and dynamic in both their nature and their management arrangements. This means it is often not possible to say with certainty how the system works, or be able to accurately predict what the outcomes of management actions might be. This uncertainty surrounding the resource system leads to conditions where complete control of the system is not possible.Our experience with the management of inland fisheries in South and Southeast Asia led us to feel that there has been a lack of guidance for
those involved in management under such circumstances. Existing guidelines we have seen often not only suggest some form of 'best practice' but also assume that the resources
necessary to implement it already exist. This is different from the sort of complex and dynamic bioeconomic systems we encountered that have so often been characterised by low
technology, low skills and a lack of available capital. In these cases, not only is management 'best practice' itself either uncertain or unknown but the resources to implement such
practices, even if they were known, are often lacking. While imposing constraints, we believe these systems also provide many opportunities. Local users may have little financial capital but often have a wealth of knowledge about the resource system, management arrangements, local communities and their needs that can be utilised. Often resource systems, for example paddy fields and reservoirs are both common as well as different in their biology and/or management arrangements. This provides an opportunity to compare differences across systems and learn. In addition, given the opportunity to do so, individuals and communities will often experiment with management over time to better adapt management to local requirements. As well as information from experimentation, communities and individuals have been found to value, and benefit from, opportunities to share experiences with
others. These opportunities are also enhanced by the potential of external agents. These agents can complement these attributes with their access to technical and scientific knowledge potential to facilitate communication between users.