196
J. Scholtens and M. Bavinck
Q3: To what extent is the governing system responsive, that means receptive and
proactive, towards the demands present in the system-to-be-governed?
We then looked at the responsiveness of the governing system to four demands
emanating from the trawl sector. We found that the government reacted in one way
or another to each of the core problems identi fi ed in the Palk Bay trawl fi shery
sector. This hints at the availability of receptive antennas on the governmental side,
but also at the ability of the fi shers to raise the amplitude of the signal. Governing
system reactions, however, do not always seem inspired by an integrated appreciation of the issues at stake. Nor do they go to the roots of the problem. This analysis
reveals that although the distinction between the two dimensions of match, i.e.
architecture and attunement, may be sensible from a theoretical point of view, in
practice they are blurred and intertwined. Architectural features prove to be directly
related to the capacity for attunement.
Q4: To what extent is the present mix of governance modes appropriate for dealing
with apparent diversity and dynamics in the system-to-be-governed, and to what
extent are issues in the system-to-be-governed dealt with at too high levels of
governance?
Finally, we considered the appropriateness of governance modes. Hierarchical
governance is the most prevalent mode in Palk Bay fi sheries, with government
authorities – FD, navy and coast guard – playing key roles. Self-governance is generally weak, while co-governance is virtually absent. This particular mix of governance modes was argued to limit the possibilities for attunement of the governing
system to the system-to-be-governed.
In the face of these mismatches and their consequences, the governing system of
fi sheries in the Palk Bay would seem to require restructuring. A co-governance
body that brings the system-to-be-governed and the various sections of governing
system together at the level of the Palk Bay seems a promising approach for attunement. More speci fi cally, such a platform, which might have chapters in each of the
districts, should include the two types of boat owners, small-scale fi shers, the navy
and coastguard, and the Fisheries Department. It clearly needs to be backed by government, as only government can provide such a body with a serious mandate and
the requisite authority. As Fanning et al. ( 2007 ) argue, governance at the local level
depends heavily on sustained inputs and technical support from the national level.
Concluding Remarks
In this chapter we have attempted to assess the match between the system-to-begoverned and governing system in a particular setting for the purpose of ascertaining
governability. We commenced by exploring the concept of match as it has developed
within interactive governance theory, distinguishing between two dimensions: architectural compatibility and attunement. The former highlights the structural dimensions of match, whereas the latter looks at its capacity for adaptation. We then pointed
J. Scholtens and M. Bavinck
Q3: To what extent is the governing system responsive, that means receptive and
proactive, towards the demands present in the system-to-be-governed?
We then looked at the responsiveness of the governing system to four demands
emanating from the trawl sector. We found that the government reacted in one way
or another to each of the core problems identi fi ed in the Palk Bay trawl fi shery
sector. This hints at the availability of receptive antennas on the governmental side,
but also at the ability of the fi shers to raise the amplitude of the signal. Governing
system reactions, however, do not always seem inspired by an integrated appreciation of the issues at stake. Nor do they go to the roots of the problem. This analysis
reveals that although the distinction between the two dimensions of match, i.e.
architecture and attunement, may be sensible from a theoretical point of view, in
practice they are blurred and intertwined. Architectural features prove to be directly
related to the capacity for attunement.
Q4: To what extent is the present mix of governance modes appropriate for dealing
with apparent diversity and dynamics in the system-to-be-governed, and to what
extent are issues in the system-to-be-governed dealt with at too high levels of
governance?
Finally, we considered the appropriateness of governance modes. Hierarchical
governance is the most prevalent mode in Palk Bay fi sheries, with government
authorities – FD, navy and coast guard – playing key roles. Self-governance is generally weak, while co-governance is virtually absent. This particular mix of governance modes was argued to limit the possibilities for attunement of the governing
system to the system-to-be-governed.
In the face of these mismatches and their consequences, the governing system of
fi sheries in the Palk Bay would seem to require restructuring. A co-governance
body that brings the system-to-be-governed and the various sections of governing
system together at the level of the Palk Bay seems a promising approach for attunement. More speci fi cally, such a platform, which might have chapters in each of the
districts, should include the two types of boat owners, small-scale fi shers, the navy
and coastguard, and the Fisheries Department. It clearly needs to be backed by government, as only government can provide such a body with a serious mandate and
the requisite authority. As Fanning et al. ( 2007 ) argue, governance at the local level
depends heavily on sustained inputs and technical support from the national level.
Concluding Remarks
In this chapter we have attempted to assess the match between the system-to-begoverned and governing system in a particular setting for the purpose of ascertaining
governability. We commenced by exploring the concept of match as it has developed
within interactive governance theory, distinguishing between two dimensions: architectural compatibility and attunement. The former highlights the structural dimensions of match, whereas the latter looks at its capacity for adaptation. We then pointed