Constraints, barriers and opportunities to increased participation of cofradías and fishers in a hierarchical governance structure: the case of Cabo de Palos, Spain

Abstract

The inadequacy of marine coastal management approaches based on top-down and centralised interventions are well recognised. In response, there has been increased demand for greater transparency and wider participation in fisheries management from- industry, stakeholders and policy-makers alike. In this article, we combine qualitative discourse with relational data to explore the images held by stakeholders regarding the role of fishers and fisher’s organisations in Cabo de Palos-Islas Hormigas marine reserve (CPHMR) governance network, and the potential barriers and opportunities to participation. Extensive fieldwork was carried out during 2013-2015 in including key informant interviews, focus group meetings, individual surveys and participant observation. This research indicates that decentralisation does not necessarily mean more participation, and in fact illustrates the continued marginalisation of fishers and their organisations. In the context of decision-making processes there is disparity in the images held by fishers and other stakeholders regarding their role and participation, which is a significant barrier towards increasing participation. This research points to the importance of both increasing the fishers capacity to improve their connections within the governance network and capacity to participate, but also more importantly, highlights that more political will from the top is required to generate real sharing of power and genuine participation. The lessons learned and conclusions drawn are useful MPAs that are contextually similar.