Dwindling resources, falling fish catches and incomes, concerns about sustainability, calls for a “paradigm shift” in mindset from production to management – the story is universal. Management is the gospel that fisheries departments and institutions preach but fishers small and big ignore. Management policies are inadequate; compliance levels are low; enforcement is poor. For all three to improve, Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) has to get better. It’s a potent tool of governance in fisheries, but like governance itself, it is easier to profess than to implement. “Monitoring” entails systematic collection, measurement and analysis of data on fishing activities. “Control” refers to the conditions laid down under which resource scan be harvested. “Surveillance” ensures that fishers and other players comply with laws and regulations..read more