The analysis (briefly) reported in this paper suggests that water pollution generated by intensive aquaculture in
TGCH Lagoon would best be addressed by allocating seed ITQs to farmers as members of local Fishery
Associations, and devolving responsibility for quota compliance and markets to these user groups in order to benefit
from their incentive and information advantages. Government would retain an important role within a comanagement
regime - establishing quota zones and their quota limits, and resolving conflicts between Fishery
Associations. While the analysis on which these recommendations are based is not objective in a quantitative sense,
the study emphasises the systems view that food chains are shaped by social, institutional and natural settings. To
analyse their performance, it is necessary to integrate knowledge of supply chain management, institutional and
resource economics, property rights, technology and ecology, and to have a good understanding of the socioeconomic
and political environment within which the chain operates. This study goes some way towards achieving
an integrated approach but falls short of testing its recommendations against the views of communities and farmers
who rely on the Tam Giang Cau Hai Lagoon for their livelihoods.