COMMUNAL FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON

Community-level management of lake fisheries is becoming an increasing ly viable alternative in many areas of Amazona. Population growth and increased commercial fishing have led to intense competition and confl ict over fishery resources. Conservation can only be successful in the se competitive environments when resource management is adapted to sol ving problems at the local level. This study examines the communal man agement of lake fisheries in Chino, a community on the Tahuayo river s outh of Iquitos in the Northeastern Peruvian Amazon. The history and o rganization of the management system is presented with an analysis of the relation between fishing efficiency and specific tenets of the man agement system.