Abstract:
This study applied a modified deterrence model to evaluate the effectiveness of legitimacy and
ethical factors compared to deterrence measures for compliance with mesh size regulation in the
Jebel Aulia Reservoir of Sudan. The ordered probit and zero-truncated negative binomial models
were employed to examine influences of determining factors on the choice between typologies of
violators and non-violators, and then on frequency of violations (extent) respectively. Reported
violation rates were high (87.5%), combined with weak enforcement and effective evasion used by
almost all (97%) violators, leading to a low probability of detection, as only 28% of violators were
caught. This is consistent with widely observed phenomena in developing countries, calling for
increased efficacy of detection, monitoring and enforcement of regulations and higher penalties to
fight non-compliance. The study also confirmed the high importance of legitimacy and ethical
factors, suggesting that the involvement of stakeholders in the process of designing, monitoring and
enforcing regulations is crucial as a process factor that may be more important than mere
deterrence measures. This advocates for participatory co-management systems that are most likely
to be more effective than top-down mechanisms in promoting compliance. The study also suggests
that investments in the education of fishermen, the provision of alternative income and employment
opportunities outside of fishing, access to credit to finance the acquisition of legal nets, and the
effective regulation of importation of illegal nets will be necessary for enhancing compliance with
mesh size regulation in Sudan.
