Fisheries Co-management is a collaborative approach integrating the efforts of various stakeholders, including local communities and government agencies, to sustainably manage fisheries resources. This framework stands particularly relevant in tropical,
third-world countries where fisheries play a critical role in livelihoods and food security.

The study explores the preparedness of Co-management in Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) Fishery along Palk Bay, focusing on four coastal villages of Olaikuda, Serankottai, Morepannai and Karankadu. It aims to assess the existing institutional and regulatory framework contributing to the governance and management of BSC fishery in Palk Bay, along with analyzing the perceptions and barriers for co-management of the same.

The institutional context of the selected villages revealed the role and significance of integrating community-based institutions such as traditional panchayats, boat associations, fisher unions and cooperatives alongside governmental and non-governmental bodies, research organizations and other major stakeholders particularly the traders and export companies for effective BSC fisheries governance and management in the region of Palk Bay.

The next chapter of the study is focussed on understanding the effectiveness of existing regulations and management measures. The only formal regulations that contribute to BSC fishery management included the 3-4 day rule for small-scale fishers and trawlers, annual seasonal ban on trawlers and the Tamil Nadu Marine Fisheries Regulations Act (TNMFRA) with no specific regulation for BSC. Further, a Fishery Management Plan (FMP) prepared by Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) in 2019, and the Fishery Improvement Project (FIP) and FIP Action plan for BSC fishery launched by the Crab Meat Processors Association (CMPA) in 2019, along with a few village-specific regulations that followed, were analyzed. The study points out the implementation gaps, compliance issues, the need for better enforcement, community engagement and the need for collaborative efforts for effective BSC fishery management. Furthermore, assessing the effectiveness of existing co-management initiatives under the FIMSUL-II program of Tamil Nadu Fisheries, revealed a significant lack of awareness about these programs among community members and highlights the challenges of implementation due to resource constraints, lack of follow-up, and inconsistent engagement from authorities.

The research further delves into the perceptions of fishers and other stakeholders on potential management measures. The major suggestions among the fishers included imposing a seasonal ban on small-scale fishers, restricting the catch of juvenile and berried crabs, releasing crab larvae into the sea, and regulating trawlers. The majority of respondents emphasize the importance of these measures for the sustainable management of the BSC fishery, while also revealing their concerns on their livelihood getting impacted. Additionally, the study includes the viewpoints of researchers and fisheries officials on the need for continuous stakeholder engagement, effective enforcement of regulations and economic incentives for ensuring compliance of management measures.

The key findings on perceptions highlight a general willingness among the fishers and community leaders to engage in co-management if proper support and structures are in place. The respondents stress the need for government support, collective action, the relevance of community-based institutions and others in bringing the villages and other stakeholders together for effective BSC management. The study concludes that the success of co-management plans relies on enhancing awareness, clarifying roles and responsibilities, fostering collaborative efforts, and ensuring strong government commitment. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and analyzes the scope of community-led co-management plan through enhanced livelihood, ideal governance structures and conservation of the resource.