Implementing fishery fiscal reform may be a difficult exercise. One of the reasons why economists have often rejected tax-based approaches to fisheries management is because of the apparent political difficulties that they would entail despite their undoubted attraction from a purely economic viewpoint (Munro, 1993). There are increasing signs however that countries, particularly developing ones, are managing to overcome these difficulties (e.g. Vetemaa et al, 2002). This paper considers some of the political economy aspects to fiscal reform in fisheries. Issues that will need to be considered include identifying potential winners and losers, building coalitions and managing the reform process, transparency and corruption, and the role of the State.

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