Sea tenure practices have been found to be far more pervasive and diverse, particularly in small-boat, inshore fishing traditions than previously. There are debates about whether local sea tenure customs, which may act to limit entry in fisheries, can truly can be said to have conservation benefits, and whether and how such customs could be profitably incorporated in modern-day fisheries management regimes. Purposes and actual functions of tenure customs range from intentionally managing access to resources and sea territory, to fend off incursions by outsiders or competitors, to manage the spacing of fishing craft and gear in order to reduce internal social conflict, and, in certain cases, to control fishing pressure itself. In indigenous societies, sea tenure traditions tend to rest not on economic or even subsistence strategies, but on cultural and spiritual beliefs and values that have more to do with constructing and maintaining social identity and a ‘sense of place.’ The analysis in the paper makes a point of highlighting the cultural significance of local sea tenure which has many implications for future directions of marine conservation and fishery management work in the tropical areas.