Book excerpt: This study is a contribution of the FAO Development Law Service to the discussion on rights-based systems in fisheries management from a legal perspective. It outlines the history of the development of rights-based fisheries management, the concepts of property rights in fisheries and the terms used in property rights regimes, the governing legislation in jurisdictions which have introduced property rights in fisheries, the interpretation placed by the courts of the jurisdiction on that legislation, and the possible options for implementing property-based fisheries rights systems in national legislation. Includes a section on New Zealand (p. 24-35).