Fisheries co-management is internationally seen as a key way forward in managing fisheries resources. The Partner States of the EAC adopted fisheries co-management in their national fisheries policies and, together as LVFO, are implementing the approach on Lake Victoria.

Beach Management Units (BMUs) are the foundation of co-management in East Africa, working with local and national government, the private sector processing industry and non-governmental organizations.

Lake Victoria and fisheries co-management

Co-management is a partnership arrangement in which the community of resources users, government and other stakeholders share the responsibility and authority for the management of the fishery. Co-management is being implemented through:

1. Development and capacity building of community-based BMUs.
2. Building the capacity of fisheries staff to undertake their new roles and functions resulting from the changing management approach.
3. Formation of BMU networks at sub-county/division, district and national levels, with linkages to local and national government and the structures of LVFO.
4. Linking co-management into broader development frameworks, to promote poverty reduction within fisheries management and development.
5. Enabling all co-management partners to participate in policy review and development, feeding in views and concerns from the fishing communities and other stakeholders into local, national and regional policy and plans.
6. Strengthening linkages between LVFO and the private sector processing plants and associations.

Co-management raises the awareness of fishing communities and other stakeholders about the need for sustainable management of the fisheries resources and should strengthen efforts to improve the livelihoods of fishing communities through BMUs. The emphasis on fishing communities means that development concerns, such as reducing poverty, empowering women and tackling HIV/AIDS, are integrated into fisheries management and development.

Co-management is a process and will take many years to become firmly established, building institutions, capacity, processes and systems. Much support and effort is needed to ensure that co-management achieves effective and sustainable fisheries management and development.