This paper discusses the roles of organized and empowered communities, and the marine reserves they manage, in the management of coastal fisheries. Community-based fisheries management has gained popularity due to the failure of government management approaches, which do not involve local people most affected by deterioration of their coastal resources. Marine reserves, in turn, are generally established to enhance fish yields in areas adjacent to reserves and protect critical spawning stock biomass so larvae are exported to fished areas. The limitations of marine reserves as management tools are discussed, using local established reserves as examples of lessons learned. The sustainability of these efforts depends heavily on budget constraints, political commitment, and the availability of technical support.
