Changes since the mid-1980s
The declining catches of some species was first
noticed in the early 1980s. In general, however,
catches were still good. Nylon cast nets and gill nets
existed but they were expensive and not everybody
could afford them. Paddleboards were common and a
few motorboats existed but were mostly used for
transport. Fishing was still under control and no harm
had come to brood stock or particular species.
Management was traditional, based on rules of district
or provincial agricultural offices that mainly dealt with
problems related to trans-boundary fishing rather than
local community issues.