ABSTRACT
Co-operatives have proved over time that they are a successful business model for generating employment, financial benefits, and social betterment. There are many prosperous cooperatives around the world, and the history of South Africa also contains many instances of vigorous cooperative action, particularly in the farming and services industries. However, co-operatives have a very low likelihood of survival, which is primarily due to a lack of resources, insufficient capacity to manage businesses, and the incapacity to control the unique dynamics of a co-operative’s membership relationships. Recently, cooperatives were introduced within marine resources management through the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Policy. The current chapter aims at assessing the potential of fishery cooperatives as an effective tool to achieve sustainable environmental management as well as poverty reduction among coastal communities. Through a systematic literature review, the history and current situations are revealed, the SSF is interrogated, revealing opportunities and challenges faced. This informs the government on whether to scale up fishing rights to small-scale cooperatives and implement policy adjustment in accordance with scientific evidence. Possible solutions to challenges raised are proffered.
