Marine living resources management in the ASEAN region: lessons learned and the integrated management approach

This paper reviews the marine living resources management practices in the ASEAN region. Lessons learned from past management of these resources are highlighted with an analysis of impacts. The lack of an appropriate management policy at national and regional levels, inefficient enforcement measures, the rapid population growth and unsustainable economic development have all contributed to the degradation of the resource base in the marine environment of many ASEAN members.The need to establish a holistic and integrated management approach as well as action plans to mitigate the accelerated deterioration of the marine environmental quality and to promote sustainable use of resources is strongly emphasized in this paper. Recent changes in government policies in ASEAN towards sustainable development could provide valuable opportunities to arrest further resource depletion. The ASEAN initiation of integrated management of marine resources is a step towards the right direction.