Evolution and performance on institutions in common-pool resource management: a study of Keralas marine fishery

Abstract

The present study analyses the evolution and performance of institutions of the coastal fishery management of Kerala, India. Coastal fisheries partake of the characteristics ofCommon-Pool Resources (CPRs) and are subject to the problem of CPR dilemmas. CPR management literature suggests that by developing adequate institutions and by enforcing them effectively, problems inherent in CPR management could be resolved. However, the factors and processes of development of institutions are not adequately known. The conventional conception of institutional evolution as a spontaneous and autonomous process perpetuating towards more efficient forms under endogenous pressure of relative prices does not offer, albeit being important, a sufficient explanation. Of course, a search for a more complete explanation of evolution of institutions as endogenous to the economic system is in progress (Ruttan and Hayami, 1984; Drobak and Nye, 1997). The present study is primarily an attempt to contribute to this line of enquiry. Empirical literature on performance of institutions shows mixed results. Along with successes, there are several cases of resource management failures despite strong presence of institutions. The design principle literature (Ostrom, 1990; McKean, 1986; Wade, 1987) that demonstrates conditions for successful performance of institutions too remain contested (Cleaver, 2000). Enquiry into the factors influencing the performance of institutions is also taken up in the present study. The questions are examined in the empirical context of the CPR dilemmas experienced by the Kerala coastal fishery. newlineThe study has made use of both primary and secondary data. Secondary data consisted mostly of the published statistics and the review of selected literature. Primary data were collected mainly through semi-structured interviews