Governing fisheries through the critical decade: the role and utility of polycentric systems

摘要: The next 10 years are considered a critical decade for fisheries. Declining fish stocks in combination with mounting climate pressure likely to lead significant and adverse socio-ecological impacts, threatening sustainability. Responding these challenges requires modes of governance that capable dealing the complexity uncertainty associated world’s fisheries their ecosystems. While range frameworks exist, concept polycentric has gained prominence environmental sector is posited as key principle underpinning resilience complex systems. However, application management been seldom explored. To examine this prospect, we review literature on elucidate its potential value improving outlook We highlight number unique characteristics overcome known limitations other forms governance—polycentric systems highly participatory promote broadest levels stakeholder involvement, they increase policy freedom at local level, improve spatial fit between knowledge, action contexts ensure responses implemented most appropriate scale. Through case-studies, demonstrate important helping respond challenges. Finally, articulate knowledge gaps should be addressed through future research understand conditions under which suited, ways can operationalised effectively.