"Us" and "them". Fishermen from Gandía and the loss of institutional legitimacy. (April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Herrera-Racionero, Paloma; Lizcano-Fernández, Emmánuel; Miret-Pastor, Lluís
• Is Part Of: Marine policy. Volume 54(2015)
• Page Start: 130
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2015-04
• Subjects: Traditional fishery -- Legitimacy -- Traditional ecological knowledge -- Socioecological system -- Tragedy of commons; Marine resources -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Fisheries -- Periodicals; Ressources marines -- Aspect économique -- Périodiques; Pêches -- Périodiques; Fisheries; Marine resources -- Economic aspects; Periodicals; 333.916405
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2014.12.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-597X

Abstract

Abstract: This paper analyses, using a qualitative methodology, some of the possible causes of the recognised failure of fisheries policy concerning traditional fisheries. Through a case study in a Spanish Mediterranean port (Gandia), it concludes that the basic problem is the lack of legitimacy of political institutions for fishermen. Any attempt to implement an effective fisheries management must recover this legitimacy, by harnessing existing social capital of these communities through the adoption of new models of fisheries co-management and the revaluation of local knowledge. Highlights: The sustainability of many small-scale fisheries is particularly at risk. The traditional management system does not work. The underlying problem is a question of the loss of fishermen׳s institutional legitimacy. Legitimacy is a premise, not only the result of a management system. The legitimacy of fisheries management involves the enhancement of fishermen as main agents.