Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing is lobster. The grounds lie between Caye Caulker and the barrier reef that lies to the east of the Caye in the Caribbean Sea.

SCREENER:

Case: Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing, Belize

The information regarding the following common-pool resource system was taken from empirical evidence from a field setting. Data on the system was extracted from a book. Currently, there are no additional documents to cite which may provide further information about this common-pool resource.

These documents describe one resource in detail. The primary resource is the Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing, situated in Caye Caulker of Belize. More generally, it is located in South America. The system's sector is that of fisheries. Relatively good information has been collected about the stakes of participants who appropriate from Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing. The condition of this resource is not well understood. Complete information is available regarding the strategies used by key groups interacting with the system. There is thorough documentation of the operational rules for this resource. This is the result of a high level of confidence that the authors who recorded the features of Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing have a complete knowledge of its particulars. Furthermore, the authors have provided sufficient data to formulate a structured coding process.

The Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing covers an unknown area. There are 101-200 total appropriator teams appropriating from the resource . At the beginning of the period discussed by the authors, there was a moderately abundant supply of biological and physical resources withdrawn compared to the number of units available. Appropriator teams for the resource are sometimes formally organized.

A description is given of spiny lobsterfishing from Caye Caulkner, a Caye located off of the northeastern coast of Belize. From the 1920s to 1960 the fishers, who are mostly Spanish, fished their own lobster territories but could only sell to one buyer who paid very low prices. In the early 1960s the fishers, with the assistance of British colonial officials, formed their own co-op and sold their own lobster on the international market resulting in much higher prices. Currently the grounds are very productive and there are no problems of overfishing or overcrowding.

CITATION(S):

Sutherland, Anne (1986) CAYE CAULKER: ECONOMIC SUCCESS IN A BELIZEAN FISHING VILLAGE. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

RESOURCE INFO:

The resource appropriated from Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing is lobster. It is produced biologically and is a renewable stationary unit. The grounds lie between Caye Caulker and the barrier reef that lies to the east of the Caye in the Caribbean Sea.

The boundary of this resource has natural/constructed and institutional arrangements which limit entry. The boundaries of this resource are smaller than the location, and exist in one country, and are not divided among multiple general purpose local jurisdictions at a single level. The boundaries of this resource are independent of a development project designed by non-residents.

There are distinct and stable micro-environmental or ecological zones within this resource (inferred). The quality and/or quantity of units is regularly better in some of the zones than in others (inferred). The variance in quality between the zones has at some point in time created conflict among appropriators.

There are natural barriers within the resource, and they coincide with microzones (inferred). There are not strategic points within the resource where the main flow of the lobster can be controlled (inferred). There is considerable, and predictable variation over space in the availability of lobster within the resource (inferred). There is considerable, and predictable variation in the flow of lobster within a single year (inferred). There is considerable, but unpredictable variation in the flow of lobster from year to year (inferred).

The bottom topography of Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing is primarily rock (educated guess).

If no rules in use were being followed, the relationship among the appropriation processes would have little adverse effects (inferred).

LOCATION:

The appropriation resources are situated on Caye Caulker, a small coral island about 15 miles off of the coast of Belize, and the lobstergrounds, located between the Caye and the coral reef, but primarily around the coral reef. The boundaries of the location are both natural and institutional, including a village and a barrier reef. The appropriation resource present in this location consists of lobster (coding), as well as snapper, grouper, jack, and shark. Regarding the use of the irrigation system, there were few adverse affects throughout the entire period in the relationships among appropriation processes.

The system is located within one country. Within this country, the system's location is not divided among several general purpose local jurisdictions at the same level. A permanent population lives year round in this location (highly confident). There is frequent contact and communication between people in this location and officials in a nearby administrative center (inferred). This location is also characterized by an economy that is stable and tied to other economic networks during the entire time period (inferred).

The latitude of this location is not specified, and its longitude is not specified. The elevation of this location is 0 meters (highly confident). The highest elevation is 0. The lowest elevation of this location is 0. The region's average annual rainfall is . The region's average annual evapotranspiration is . The distribution of rainfall and evapotranspiration per month is as follows:

January precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

February precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

March precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

April precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

May precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

June precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

July precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

August precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

September precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

October precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

November precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

December precipitation: N/A, evapotraspiration: N/A

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing is lobster. The grounds lie between Caye Caulker and the barrier reef that lies to the east of the Caye in the Caribbean Sea.

OPERATIONAL LEVEL:

TYPE OF SITUATION

The processes described in the related documents are primarily related to appropriation and use. The set of individuals who have rights to withdraw from this resource is well-defined. Since the beginning of this period, the appropriators are exercising (or attempting to exercise de facto) closed access to this resource.

EVENTS MARKING THE BEGINNING ACTION SITUATION

It is estimated that the operational level coded on this form ended in 0. The estimated duration of the patterns that are described in this form is 26 to 50 years. Throughout the duration there was change made primarily by the appropriators in operational, collective, or consititutional rules. There was no change in resource size or structure. There was no new technology introduced to the system over the duration of the patterns coded on this form. There was no substantial external change in the value of the units appropriated. The quantity of units available did not change due to a change in appropriation patterns of other appropriators' withdrawals from the same production or distribution resource. There were no new groups starting to withdraw units from the appropriation resource. There was no recorded change to one or more variables internal to the operational level. The variables that changed were -2. The author does not begin the description of this case at this point in history.

CONDITIONS AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF PERIOD COVERED BY THIS FORM*

For biological resources at the beginning of this period, the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the number of units available was moderately abundant (educated guess). For biological resources at the end of this period, the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the number of units available was apparently balanced (educated guess). For physical resources at the beginning of this period, the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the quantity of units needed, given the usual patterns of use for these units was moderately abundant (educated guess). For physical resources at the end of the period the balance between the quantity of units withdrawn and the quantity of units needed, given the usual patterns of use for these units, was apparently balanced (educated guess).

The following includes the available statistics on the use of this resource at the beginning of the time period, followed by the end of the time period:

Tons of fish harvested per year at the end of the period: 137

*In fisheries and other biological systems, this is the maximum sustainable number of units. In irrigation, this refers to the optimal water requirements of the crops in the established fields served by this system.

At the beginning of the period, the units were predominantly sold in external markets, and also consumed by appropriators and families.

At the end of the period, the units were predominantly sold in external markets, and also consumed by appropriators and families.

As of the beginning of the period, the quality of the units being withdrawn from the resource was high (educated guess). As of the end of the period, the quality of the units being withdrawn from the resource was high (educated guess). At the beginning of the period of the study, there were no problems of pollution in this or other resources, due to the way units are being appropriated (inferred). At the end of the period of the study, there were no problems of pollution in this or other resources due to the way units are being appropriated (ambiguous). As of the beginning of the period, the extent of technical externalities resulting from the appropriation activities of participants from this resource was quite low (inferred). As of the end of the period, the extent of technical externalities resulting from the appropriation activities of participants from this resource was quite low (inferred). At the beginning of this study, the interference between the appropriation technology for this resource and the appropriation processes for other resources in this location was not recorded in the case information. At the end of this study, the interference between the appropriation technology for this resource and the appropriation processes for other resources in this location was not recorded in the case information. At the beginning of this period the appropriators shared levels of trust that are not indicated in the case study. At the end of the period the appropriators shared levels of trust that are not indicated in the case study. ## Unknown markup: Start ##By the end of this period no change had occurred in the property rights regime related to the appropriation resource (inferred). At the end of this period there was no information provided as to whether or not owners are exercising or attempting to exercise closed access to this resource. At the end of the period the appropriators were exercising, or attempting to exercise, de facto closed access to this resource (confident).

INFORMATION LEVELS

There is no information in the study to indicate the availability of maps or charts of the appropration resource for use by the appropriators. Maps and/or charts of the production and distribution resources are not documented as being available, or unavailable in this case study. The appropriators of this resource can be seen by each other while delivering harvest to a central location (educated guess). No appropriators are in radio communication with each other while appropriating from the resource (educated guess). There was no information provided to indicate whether or not there are actions being taken, by appropriators or officials, to generate information about the condition of the resource. There are always records of the withdrawals from this resource kept in a systematic way (inferred). There was no information in the study about whether or not there are records of the physical factors which directly affected the resource kept in a systematic way. Records are kept in a language accessible to most of the appropriators (inferred). The keepers of these records are officials at some level (inferred). These records are available for inspection by appropriators (inferred). The study did not indicate whether or not there are arenas being used for the exchange of information about conditions of the resource. The appropriators have an intimate knowledge of the characteristics of this resource (inferred).

POTENTIAL ACTIONS AND LEVELS OF CONTROL

The quality or quantity of the units available to the appropriators are not adversely affected by the strategies of prior appropriators, because there are no prior appropriators (inferred). This study did not include information on whether or not there are problems of pollution resulting from activities of others who are not appropriators of this resource or inhabitants of this location (e.g. acid rain, sewage disposal). Almost all appropriators sell this resource in one market (inferred). There appears to be an insurance mechanism available to the appropriators related to variability of income from the resource (inferred).

PATTERNS OF INTERACTION

Differences between subgroups relating to gender identification does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to ethnic identification does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to clan identification does not affect communication (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to racial identification does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to religious identification are small and created only mild communication problems (educated guess). Differences between subgroups relating to languages spoken does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to general cultural views of the resource system and its use does not exist (inferred). Differences between subgroups relating to any problems that affect communication are not included in the case study.

The general manner in which appropriators related to one another during this study is a relatively positive, reciprocal manner -- the presumption was made that long-term relationships are involved and positive actions are undertaken without a specific expectation of return (educated guess). The documents present evidence that the appropriators have a general cultural pattern that stressed various types of cooperative activities besides the management of this resource (educated guess). If someone violated the rules-in-use related to the appropriation process from this resource, it is unlikely that he/she would encounter social sanctions imposed by other appropriators (who are not filling posititions as official monitors) (educated guess). If someone violates the rules-in-use related to the appropriation process from this resource, it is very unlikely that he/she would encounter physical sanctions by other appropriators (who are not filling posititions as official monitors) (educated guess). There is a limited range of sanctions imposed depending on rule infractions and in regard to social, physical, and official sanctions (educated guess).

POSITIONS AND PARTICIPANTS

At the end of the period studied the position of non-appropriator (individuals prevented from using the resource) did not exist (inferred). At the beginning of the period there was a general estimate of some undocumented number appropriators. There was a general estimate of 201-500 appropriators at the end of the period (highly confident). A general estimate of the number of participants in the team appropriation process was not included in the case study, at the beginning of the period. A general estimate of the number of participants in the team appropriation process was 501-1000, at the end of the period (educated guess). The "official" position of monitor (apart from the willingness of all appropriators to monitor) is not described in detail in this case study.

The appropriators monitor the appropriation activities of each other apart from the monitoring of any "official" guards. The general estimate for the number of official monitors on duty at one time during peak hours was not included in this case study. The study did not indicate how many of the monitors were full-time.

NUMBER AND RELATIONSHIPS AMONG SUBGROUPS

There will be 1 subgroup form(s) completed in relation to this operational level form. The ID number(s) of the subgroup(s) coded are as follows: 78.1 - 0 - 0 - 0

EVALUATION OF RESULTS

There are no appropriators who were consistently disadvantaged in this period (educated guess). The relatively worst off appropriators have not been cut out of their benefits from this resource or substantially harmed (educated guess).

AUTHOR'S EVALUATION AND CAUSAL ASSUMPTIONS

In this coding form the author does not focus on the readers' concept of results and the evaluation of results (educated guess).

The author provided description, but little evaluation. The author discusses withdrawals per unit of effort based on -1

SUBGROUP:

Participants:

This appropriation group are lobsterfishers who set traps in predefined territories. The criteria for who is a member is well defined (inferred). . This group ended with a estimated membership of 201-500.. An estimated 76%-90% of this group is literate in a language that records or publications about this resource and/or location (or other similar resources) is kept (educated guess).

The following statements characterize the composition of this subgroup's population with respect to variables that may affect the capacity to communicate effectively:

Gender identification causes no difference in composition (inferred). Ethnic or cultural identification causes no difference in composition (inferred). Most members of this subgroup are ethnically identified as Spanish. The difference in composition with regard to clan identification does not affect communication (inferred). Racial identification causes no difference in composition (inferred). Most members of this subgroup are racially identified as Hispanic. Religious identification causes no difference in composition (inferred). Most members of this subgroup are religiously identified as Catholic. There is no difference in composition with regard to languages spoken (inferred). The language spoken by most members of the subgroup is Spanish.

The appropriation process is organized as team process consisting of 46-60 teams..

Legal Rights:

Members of this subgroup have de jure rights of access (inferred). The right to withdraw is held by this subgroup de jure (inferred). Rights to participate in management of this resource is held de jure (inferred). Members of this subgroup have de facto rights to decide who can be excluded from particular zones within the resource. (educated guess). The separable right of transfer to the flow of units from this resource is not held either by de jure nor de facto (educated guess). The separable rights to exercise transfer to shares of this appropriation resource, or closely related production and/or distribution resources are neither held de jure nor de facto (educated guess). Transferring shares of major appropriation equipment which are necessary to engage in appropriation is not exercised either je jure nor de facto## Unknown column: EQUIPSHAR ##.

Stakes and Resources:

The length of time this subgroup has regularly appropriated from this resource is 26 through 50 years (educated guess). Around 91%-100% of members reside in or adjacent to this resource (confident). Given the assets of members, the capital required to set up an appropriation team does not place pressure upon the appropriators to get immediate returns from appropriation (educated guess). Most people in this subgroup are very dependent (i.e. most of the family income) on this resource (inferred). Around 91%-100% of this subgroup work a substantial amount of time in activities not associated with appropriation from this resource (educated guess). The proportion of this subgroup that currently appropriates similar units from other resources is less than 10% (inferred). Given the economy of the location, the average annual family income (including all non-monetary forms of income) is considered high (confident). The variance of the average annual family income across families is moderate (educated guess). Over time the variance of the average annual family income across families is moderate (educated guess). Capital is owned by 91%-100% of this subgroup (confident). Alternatives for the supply unit are available at a high cost (educated guess).

Potential Actions and Levels of Control:

A noticeable impact on the balance of the quantity of units withdrawn and the number of units available in this resource would occur in a drastic reduction of this subgroup's appropriation activities (inferred). Keeping in mind the physically available levels of withdrawal that are possible from this resource, the following shows the extent to which rules concerning different aspects of withdrawal constrain appropriation: technological rules cause unknown contraints, time limits which limit the range of choice lightly constrain (educated guess), quantity rules cause unknown contraints, marginal units or units obtained by increasing levels of appropriation have a moderate value immediate return (educated guess).

Technology:

Strategies Adopted:

At the beginning of the period the rate of unit withdrawals was accelerating (inferred). At the end of the period the rate of unit withdrawals was constant (educated guess). During this time period members have not invested resources, such as their own labor, in maintaining or improving the structure of the appropriation resource (educated guess). Members do not have access to an alternative source of supply (educated guess). In characterizing the usual behavior of the members of this subgroup with respect to local operation level rules-in-use (other than in extreme shortage), it can be said that most of the members do not follow the rules (educated guess). The level of infraction of members who are not rule followers is generally medium (educated guess). Attempting to alter the behavior of appropriators, members of this group have threatened or actually used violence to obtain a more favorable situation (regardless of the rules). Towards officials, members of this group have threatened or actually used violence to enforce compliance with existing rules.

Subgroup Results:

This subgroup appropriates 91%-100% of its total appropriated units at the end of this period (educated guess). The absolute quantity of appropriation units obtained by this group has become larger (inferred).

RESOURCE:

The resource appropriated from Caye Caulker Lobsterfishing is lobster. The grounds lie between Caye Caulker and the barrier reef that lies to the east of the Caye in the Caribbean Sea.

OPERATIONAL RULES:

Concerning national collective choice relating to the resource, the author provides a few detailed references to operational level rules as devised by national collective choice mechanisms which have been coded below. Concerning regional collective choice, the author provides NO information about operational level rules as devised by regional collective choice mechanisms, however a regional level of government does exist.

With regard to local collective choice, a level of government or organization of appropriators exists at the location and the author provides a few detailed references about operational level rules as devised by collective choice mechanisms which have been coded below.

Boundary Rules

The following rules define the requirements that must be met before individuals are eligible to harvest or withdraw units from the appropriation resource.

A rule exists requiring citizenship of a country. This rule is enforced at the national, local, and rules-in-use level(s).

A rule exists requiring citizenship or residence of a local community. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s).

A rule exists permitting membership in an organization. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s).

A rule exists requiring an appropriator to be of a certain gender. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s).

A rule exists requiring an appropriator to obtain a license for entry or for equipment in order to appropriate. This rule is enforced at the national, local, and rules-in-use level(s).

A rule exists permitting ownership of shares in an organization. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s).

Entry rights may be transmitted to one or more members of within a family.

Authority and Scope Rules

The default conditions for both authority and scope rules do not apply.

The following paragraphs include information on rules of 1 cycle(s).

Authority Rules:

There is a rule requiring withdrawal only during specific seasons, set annually/periodically by an external public official. This rule is enforced at the national, local, and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

The length of the withdrawing season is 32 week(s)..

There is a rule requiring withdrawal at specific locations or spots, based on the historical pattern of appropriation. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

There is a rule forbidding withdrawal whenever and wherever desired, based on the historical pattern of appropriation. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

There is a rule requiring withdrawal units of a certain minimum size, set annually/periodically by an external public official. This rule is enforced at the national, local, and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

The authority and scope rules do not apply to whether or not certain subgroups received substantially unequal privileges, because there is only one subgroup.

Scope Rules:

There is a rule requiring a periodically assessed appropriation tax, set annually/periodically by an external public official. This rule is enforced at the national, local, and rules-in-use level(s), and is part of the most restrictive, regularly adopted/used set of rules.

Information Rules

There exists a rule requiring recording of the number of units withdrawn. This rule is enforced at the local and rules-in-use level(s).

This information was recorded by an AGO.

Payoff Rules

The default condition, that all appropriators can retain whatever they can physically keep hold of and no external rewards, taxes, or sanctions are imposed is not imposed in this case. The authors have the following confidence level for the results of this section: inferred. Appropriators cannot obtain external aid to develop their appropriation technologies. Appropriators cannot obtain external aid to develop or repair their production, distribution, or appropriation resources. Appropriators cannot obtain external aid to develop technologies for using the resource units. Appropriators are party to price support contracts or guaranteed purchase agreements with an international (private or public) agency(s) for the selling of resource units or commodities produced by resource units.

The following percentages indicate the percentages assigned to individual positions. If more than one percentage is listed per position, the individual percentages refer to the different arrangements existing within the operational rules.

Aggregation Rules

Overall Questions About Rules Configuration

The general framework of the rules-in-use has governed the activities of this subgroup for 26 to 50 years.