User:Spcampbe/Fisheries law

Territorial Use Rights for Fishing (TURF)
Territorial Use Rights for Fishing (TURF) programs are a unique type of fishery law applicable for small scale fisheries. These community based programs allocate area based fishing privileges to groups or individuals with the goal of preventing overexploitation and unsustainable fishing. TURFs are usually granted to communities with longstanding traditions of sustainable fishing and are managed by the local fishermen. Although they are mainly community based, conservation guidelines are set at a federal level and governments have the authority to enforce TURFs. This form of management is used around the world, with the most successful examples being in Chile and Japan, and is modified to fit the social norms, needs, and goals of the community.

TURFs are being promoted as a potential tool for conserving biodiversity but mainly applicable to non migratory species. However, the exploitation of migratory species can be managed through cooperating neighboring TURFs. In Chile there are over 700 TURFs that create a network around 1100 square kilometers. As the fishermen rely on these areas for their livelihoods, this system incentivises them to manage these fisheries sustainably.