COOPERATIVES IN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT - THE CASE OF ST-VINCENT AND THEGRENADINES

Using a case study from St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) of the Ca ribbean region, the authors discuss the problems and potential of vest ing fisheries management responsibility with cooperative organizations . In SVG, fishing cooperatives at the present stage are far from capab le of handling management functions, and they need to be strengthened at the local and national level before this is possible. To be effecti ve as co-managers, fishers' cooperatives must be made more attractive to members. Thus, this case study suggests that not only is fisheries management a prerequisite of community development, development is als o imperative to management.