Usually, governments manage small coastal and inland fisheries centrally. However, this strategy is failing endangering the livelihoods of millions of rural people in developing countries who depend on these fisheries for food and income. Over the last decade, studies have proven that co-management of resources provides a workable alternative. Co-management is a new and flexible approach in which all groups with a stake in a fishery work with government authorities to manage it fairly and effectively. Rather than a 'one size fits all' solution, co-management takes into account the needs of fishers and other resource users on one hand, and government objectives and national policies on the other. Government and local stakeholders both share responsibility and authority.