Title: Fisheries co-management and evolution towards community fisheries management in Tonga

In Tonga the current centralised fisheries management has come under criticism from fishermen. Crises in the inshore fisheries push for changes in the fisheries management system. Fishing is important in Tonga not only for the monetary income it generates to fishing families but also for reasons that have to do with social status, social obligations and institutions. In the last decade the co-management approach has gained momentum, both in academia and practice. The aim of this report is to study the possible introduction and implementation of community fisheries management in Tonga. It starts by giving an overview of the principles of fisheries management in general. Secondly it discusses whether co-management and community management in fisheries in Tonga are feasible and how they could be implemented.