It is widely acknowledged that fisheries management has been characterised more by its failures than its successes. Reviews usually attempt to identify what is 'wrong' with fisheries management and offer suggestions as to how to put it right. However, from an alternative perspective, it is also possible to identify what is 'right' with fisheries management in particular instances and to offer suggestions as to how to build upon such success. A recent World Bank funded project 'Study of Good Management Practice in Sustainable Fisheries' examined the issue of success from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. In this first policy brief, the concept of 'success' is explored as a basis for the presentation of empirical findings based on a series of global case studies.