Some observations on power and property rights in the inland fisheries of Bangladesh

This paper examines the causes behind the failure of the fishermen to establish property rights over fishing grounds in the inland fisheries of Bangladesh. Property rights are eventually transferred to socially powerful agents called the lessees who are not part of the fishing community. Differential costs of establishing and maintaining property rights have been observed as the key element behind the transfer of rights. This differential cost stems from power asymmetries and consequently more rent is generally realizable by the lessees. Differential capacity to realize rent creates the potential for an exchange of rights between them. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.