An Interactive Governance and Fish Chain Approach to Fisheries Rebuilding: A Case Study of the Northern Gulf Cod in Eastern Canada

Abstract

Rebuilding collapsed fisheries is a multifaceted problem, requiring a holistic governance approach rather than technical management fixes. Using the Northern Gulf cod case study in eastern Canada, we illustrate how a ''fish chain'' framework, drawn from the interactive governance perspective, is particularly helpful in analyzing rebuilding challenges. The analysis demonstrates that factors limiting rebuilding exist along the entire fish chain, i.e., the preharvest, harvest, and post-harvest stages. These challenges are embedded in both the ecological and social systems associated with the Northern Gulf cod fisheries, as well as in the governing systems. A comparative analysis of the preand post-collapse of the cod fisheries also reveals governance opportunities in rebuilding, which lie in policy interventions such as integrated and ecosystem-based management, livelihood transitional programs, and crossscale institutional arrangements. Lessons from the Northern Gulf cod case study, especially the missed opportunities to explore alternative governing options during the transition, are valuable for rebuilding other collapsed fisheries.

Governance interactions in small‐scale fisheries market chains: Examples from the Asia‐Pacific

“…We distinguish four market chain sections, wherein fish products are subject to particular kinds of processing and/or exchange depending on the level of social organization and trade motivations, which we label: “Supply,” “Domestic trade and consumption,” “International trade and consumption” and “(International) End‐consumer market.” This categorization of market chain sections—instead of nodes—works to capture the plurality of governance arrangements across varying scales and contexts; acknowledging a degree of “messiness” in how commodities flow through networks. It is broadly consistent with the existing literature on fish chains (Khan & Chuenpagdee, ; Thorpe et al, ) and global value chains (Gereffi, Humphrey, & Sturgeon, ; Gereffi & Lee, ; Grunert et al, ; Humphrey & Schmitz, ) that also analyse commodity flows across fish capture, post‐harvest distribution and consumption, including dynamics of global trade (i.e. beyond points of export and realms of national sovereign government rule).…”

Interactive Governance for Small-Scale Fisheries

“…In this respect, community-based organizations, such as the Fogo Island Co-op (see Foley et al 2013 ) and FFAW can presumably play a key role in organizing and mobilizing small-scale fi shers locally as well as province-wide. A shift towards co-governance has already been underway since the cod moratorium, with the various levels of government announcing greater emphasis on integrated management and public involvement (Khan and Chuenpagdee 2013 ). Although transformative changes have yet to occur, such moves represent a crucial platform from which mutual conversations about principles can spring forward and proliferate.…”

“…Governability, and a holistic fi sh chain perspective, is essential in these circumstances . The approach involves both state and non-state actors in formulating principles and rules that guide governors and non-governors alike, in all stages of fi sheries production Khan and Chuenpagdee 2014 ).…”

“…However, stagnancy in the production volumes of these key shellfi sh species in recent years has raised concern for the sector (Clift and Cooper 2014 ). Moreover, current speculation on the recovery of cod, once regarded as the bedrock of the inshore fi shery and rural society in Newfoundland, has generated considerable anxiety and opposing opinions among fi shers and other related fi shery actors (Davis 2014 , also see Khan and Chuenpagdee 2013 ;Mather 2013 ). The rebuilt cod stock would be expected to somehow infl uence the abundance of shellfi sh species, although much of the science on species interaction and ecosystem complexity remains largely equivocal (Lilly et al 2000 ).…”

The Sustainable Seafood Movement Is a Governance Concert, with the Audience Playing a Key Role

“…The "reconfiguration" approach to the field of Sustainable Consumption and Production, and third generation Ecological Modernisation approaches consider sustainability questions in terms of systems, in which both the individual choices of consumers and firms, and the overarching structures of industrial capitalism are key to improving sustainability [37,61]. The Interactive Governance approach in fisheries specifically looks at interactions between multiple diverse actors, mainly focused on the fishing node of the chain [62], but in some cases looking at whole supply chains [63].…”