THE GENTLEMANS AGREEMENTS - A FISHERIES MANAGEMENT CASE-STUDY FROM THE SOUTHWEST OF ENGLAND

This paper assesses the unique 'gentlemen's agreements' that exist bet ween the crab fishermen of South Devon and trawlermen from the UK and other EU member states. The reasons for the success of the arrangement s are discussed, particularly as the agreements apply to fisheries tha t are currently characterised by over-capacity, rent dissipation and n on-compliance with regulations. The agreements are analysed in relatio n to other common-property resource-management systems, and their comp atability with the principles of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is established. Finally the agreements are compared and contrasted with t he concepts of subsidiarity and co-management. (C) 1998 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd. Ail rights reserved.