ALCOM's objectives were to test the appropriateness of RRA in initiating pilot activities for small water body fisheries management and to assist local communities to develop methods to establish community-based management of fisheries. The RRA method of data collection, formulation and initiation of the project activity was largely successful. Though the approach encourages dialogue and support between outsiders and the villagers, ALCOM could have done better in developing an effective partnership with local community leaders. Visits to the community after the RRA were short and hurried.
Assistance was given to the community to implement management. Technical assistance was given on the state of the fishery through test fishing done by ALCOM, using both traditional gears and the Drottningholm sampling method. Further assistance on the biology of fish and the effect of management decisions on the fisheries could have been more elaborate. Training of Committee members in the biology of the fish in their reservoir and the impact of fishing gear on the fisheries performance is an essential part of the technical input. ALCOM provided some training, but it should have been given earlier to be more useful in the formulation of the management plan. The committee may also require basic training in how community organizations should operate. Such organizations are meant for whole communities to benefit and not just for a few who are in the committee itself.
Since this was a pilot project, ALCOM was prepared to invest some time on it, but aware that if the project demanded involvement for an indefinitely long time, the project would have to be regarded as unsustainable and unreplicable. ALCOM would therefore have to keep a low profile and make the committee assume as much responsibility as possible.
It is too early to make a statement about the success or failure of community-based management of fisheries resources in small water bodies. The community desired to control access to the reservoir in order to reduce fish poaching and control the type of fishing gear used in the dam. The mechanism to control access to reservoir fisheries was that of fishing licences. Fish wardens were selected and paid by the community to enforce the licensing system. For the first month enough money was collected to pay the fish wardens. The problems that evolved later in law enforcement are alarming, but the committee itself thinks that they can be solved.
The objective of increasing production is elusive in the short term. However, control of fishing effort can, in the long term, ensure a return to high biological performance. Other methods to increase production beyond the natural yield can be introduced when the ownership and management authority is well defined.
Some jobs of fish guards have been created by the Dam Committee. Initially eight guards were employed, this number was later reduced to two. Initially the gillnetters formed the majority of the guards.
ALCOM's assistance with fisheries management has made possible some redistribution of benefits from the fisheries. The gillnet licenses have been distributed more widely than before and catches have probably improved or should do so in the future. Unlicensed fishing with gillnets and fishing with traps have been made more difficult. Hook and liners have been made to pay fees, but catches might have gone up slightly. The initial situation when the villagers around the dam felt that outsiders took all the fish may change for the better if the villagers manage to control illegal fishing, as they now decide for themselves who should get licenses.
