177
M. Bavinck et al. (eds.), Governability of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Theory and Applications, MARE Publication Series 7, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6107-0_10,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract As governance occurs through interaction between governors and the
governed, an investigation of the conditions that facilitate ‘better’ interaction, and
improve governability, is worthwhile. We argue on the basis of the interactive
governance approach that one such condition is a proper match between the systemto-be-governed and the governing system. This match is conceptualized as having
two dimensions: architectural compatibility and attunement. The possibilities of
this assessment approach are studied in the context of the trawl fi sheries in the
Palk Bay, South India. The trawl fl eet in this region developed rapidly since the
1960s, and has engaged in lively con fl icts with small-scale fi sheries on the Indian,
and more recently on the Sri Lankan side of the Bay. The non-synchronization of
fi shing areas with administrative boundaries constitutes an important governance
challenge, as is environmental pressure.
Keywords Match • Governability assessment • Institutional fi t • India • Responsiveness •
Trawl fi sheries
Introduction
The global crisis in fi sheries has resulted in the formulation of panaceas, the content
of which tend to depend on their proponents’ disciplinary backgrounds (Degnbol
et al. 2006 ) . As Jentoft et al . ( 2008 ) have pointed out, however, panaceas do not take
account of contextual variation and therefore frequently fail to achieve their objectives (cf. Ostrom 2007 ) . This chapter proceeds from the assumption that contextual
J. Scholtens (*) • M. Bavinck
Department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development Studies ,
University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
e-mail: j.scholtens@uva.nl ; j.m.bavinck@uva.nl
Chapter 10
South Indian Trawl Fisheries – Assessing
Their Governability
Joeri Scholtens and Maarten Bavinck
M. Bavinck et al. (eds.), Governability of Fisheries and Aquaculture:
Theory and Applications, MARE Publication Series 7, DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-6107-0_10,
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract As governance occurs through interaction between governors and the
governed, an investigation of the conditions that facilitate ‘better’ interaction, and
improve governability, is worthwhile. We argue on the basis of the interactive
governance approach that one such condition is a proper match between the systemto-be-governed and the governing system. This match is conceptualized as having
two dimensions: architectural compatibility and attunement. The possibilities of
this assessment approach are studied in the context of the trawl fi sheries in the
Palk Bay, South India. The trawl fl eet in this region developed rapidly since the
1960s, and has engaged in lively con fl icts with small-scale fi sheries on the Indian,
and more recently on the Sri Lankan side of the Bay. The non-synchronization of
fi shing areas with administrative boundaries constitutes an important governance
challenge, as is environmental pressure.
Keywords Match • Governability assessment • Institutional fi t • India • Responsiveness •
Trawl fi sheries
Introduction
The global crisis in fi sheries has resulted in the formulation of panaceas, the content
of which tend to depend on their proponents’ disciplinary backgrounds (Degnbol
et al. 2006 ) . As Jentoft et al . ( 2008 ) have pointed out, however, panaceas do not take
account of contextual variation and therefore frequently fail to achieve their objectives (cf. Ostrom 2007 ) . This chapter proceeds from the assumption that contextual
J. Scholtens (*) • M. Bavinck
Department of Human Geography, Planning and International Development Studies ,
University of Amsterdam , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
e-mail: j.scholtens@uva.nl ; j.m.bavinck@uva.nl
Chapter 10
South Indian Trawl Fisheries – Assessing
Their Governability
Joeri Scholtens and Maarten Bavinck