MESSAGE FROM USAID



This Policy Brief is a product of the Environmental and Natural
Resources Policy and Training (EPAT) Project funded by the United
States Agency for International Development (USAID).  It is part
of USAID's effort to provide environmental policy information to
decisionmakers and practitioners in developing countries.  The
objective is to encourage the adoption of economic policies to
promote sustainable use of natural resources and to enhance
environmental quality.

EPAT Policy Briefs are written for development professionals and
policymakers in developing countries who are responsible for
establishing and implementing policies on the sustainable use of
natural resources and for civil servants, project officers, and
researchers who are directly involved in the implementation of
development activities.  This Policy Brief reviews the use of
marine reserves to control the decreasing production of artisanal
fisheries.  These fisheries are near shore, used by small-scale
fishers, and employ primarily labor-intensive methods.  Marine 
reserves also protect habitat and preserve marine biological
diversity.  Since artisanal fishers produce nearly one-third of
the world's food fish harvest, policymakers need to know about
alternative approaches available to both sustain this catch
and protect the marine environment.

The contribution of USAID toward writing, printing, and
distributing this document is estimated to be $7,500.  The
document is being distributed to more than 2,000 policymakers and
professionals in developing countries.  We will assess its
effectiveness by soliciting the views of recipients.  An
evaluation sheet is enclosed with each mailing of EPAT documents
for that purpose.

David Hales                       Twig Johnson
Deputy Assistant Administrator    Director
Center for the Environment        Office of Environment & 
USAID/G/ENV                       Natural Resources
Washington, D.C.  20523           USAID/G/ENV/ENR
                                  Washington, D.C.  20523