Cockle and Oyster Fishery Co-Management Plan for the Tanbi Special Management Area.

The Cockle and Oyster Fishery Co-Management Plan aims at achieving sustainable management and development of the cockle and oyster fishery and enhanced benefits to the nine cockle and oyster harvesting communities within the Tanbi Wetlands National Park. This Plan lays down strategies for the processing, harvesting and marketing of cockle and oyster; maintaining water quality to prevent public health risks from contamination; strengthening management taking into account based on biological, ecological, social and economic aspects; designation of excusive community use zones; development of oyster aquaculture; conducting research for improved practices of management and aquaculture of oysters and cockles; mitigating the impacts of climate change through carbon sequestration; and strengthening institutional and legal frameworks for effective management.
This Plan underlines the important role of women in oyster harvesting and processing, and sets out strategies to empower them. Alternative livelihood activities will be promoted by TRY Association for young generations to ease harvesting pressure on the mangroves and shellfish resources. Joint monitoring, control and surveillance activities within the Tanbi Wetland National Park will be undertaken by the communities with the Department of Parks and Wildlife Management for the conservation of the mangroves, and mangrove reforestation activities will be promoted in communities. Oyster aquaculture will be promoted to increase national fish production whilst reducing the country’s total dependence on capture fisheries for fish food supply.