231
12 Marine Protected Areas in the Canary Islands – Improving Their Governability
demands previously identi fi ed by local fi shers who had banned the use of certain
gear in the Sea of Calms between 1980 and 1990. Fishers were aware of the area’s
ecological characteristics and fragility, and reached local agreements to ban gear
they considered unsustainable for the ecosystem: fi shing pots, long-lines and trammels.
Developing countermeasures against illegal fi shing activities was also one of the
arguments proposed in support of the MR. In the 1990s, then, the MR appeared as
an extension of actions and decisions already initiated by the fi shers.
The project in the 1990s was led by the vice-president ( Vice-Patron Mayor
12
)
of the Cofradía. After a discussion period, fi shers agreed on the MR design and
voted for it at the Cofradía ; in 1996, the Reserva Marina Punta de La Restinga-Mar
de Las Calmas was created. It is important to bear in mind that the MR proposal was
discussed extensively (always within the Cofradía ) for almost 2 years. Time is a
highly relevant variable in the governance of social systems.
Local fi shers decided and voted on a range of key aspects involved in the MR
design, such as boundaries, characteristics, surveillance services, gear and users
allowed, and not merely on its acceptance. Various administrations and scientists
participated in the decision-making process, but fi shers always played the most
important role . For example, in 1995, fi shers rejected the fi rst of fi cial proposal for
the MR sent to the Cofradía , and the national Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food had to correct it. Fishers complained about the composition of the Commissions
designed to manage the MR locally, because they were not recognized as members.
Throughout the entire process, local administrations supported fi shers’ decisions.
Responsibility for this MR is shared between the national and regional governments, based on two norms.
13 The decree issued by the regional government clearly
speci fi es the status of “Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest”. The public discourse of
the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recognizes this speci fi c aim: “its
main goal is the sustainability of the artisanal fi sheries” (Revenga 2003 , 101).
After the MR was declared in 1996, fi shers continued discussing objections or
doubts inside the Cofradía , and also participated in implementing and managing the
MR. In 1999, for example, surveillance activities were introduced at the sea and on
land, and several fi shers were employed as inspectors. In 2001, coordination activities began with the creation of Commissions for MRFI monitoring, an activity in
which fi shermen actively participated. At the same time, other stakeholders of the
Sea of Calms, such as scuba diving entrepreneurs, were neither invited nor considered at any point in the entire process. Despite voicing their concerns and opinions
about the MR to the government, they were often ignored. The MR was considered
12 Patron Mayor (president) and Vice-Patron Mayor (vice-president) are positions of responsibility
and representation within Spanish cofradías ; both are elected positions.
13 Order of 24 February 1996 that establishes the Reserva Marina Punta de La Restinga-Mar de las
Calmas . Of fi cial State Gazette, BOE, number 30, 3 February 1996, pp. 3765–6. Decree 30/1996 of
February 16 that creates a Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest in the area of “Punta de La RestingaMar de las Calmas”. Of fi cial Bulletin of the Canary Islands, published Monday 11 March 1996,
pp. 1472–4.
12 Marine Protected Areas in the Canary Islands – Improving Their Governability
demands previously identi fi ed by local fi shers who had banned the use of certain
gear in the Sea of Calms between 1980 and 1990. Fishers were aware of the area’s
ecological characteristics and fragility, and reached local agreements to ban gear
they considered unsustainable for the ecosystem: fi shing pots, long-lines and trammels.
Developing countermeasures against illegal fi shing activities was also one of the
arguments proposed in support of the MR. In the 1990s, then, the MR appeared as
an extension of actions and decisions already initiated by the fi shers.
The project in the 1990s was led by the vice-president ( Vice-Patron Mayor
12
)
of the Cofradía. After a discussion period, fi shers agreed on the MR design and
voted for it at the Cofradía ; in 1996, the Reserva Marina Punta de La Restinga-Mar
de Las Calmas was created. It is important to bear in mind that the MR proposal was
discussed extensively (always within the Cofradía ) for almost 2 years. Time is a
highly relevant variable in the governance of social systems.
Local fi shers decided and voted on a range of key aspects involved in the MR
design, such as boundaries, characteristics, surveillance services, gear and users
allowed, and not merely on its acceptance. Various administrations and scientists
participated in the decision-making process, but fi shers always played the most
important role . For example, in 1995, fi shers rejected the fi rst of fi cial proposal for
the MR sent to the Cofradía , and the national Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and
Food had to correct it. Fishers complained about the composition of the Commissions
designed to manage the MR locally, because they were not recognized as members.
Throughout the entire process, local administrations supported fi shers’ decisions.
Responsibility for this MR is shared between the national and regional governments, based on two norms.
13 The decree issued by the regional government clearly
speci fi es the status of “Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest”. The public discourse of
the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recognizes this speci fi c aim: “its
main goal is the sustainability of the artisanal fi sheries” (Revenga 2003 , 101).
After the MR was declared in 1996, fi shers continued discussing objections or
doubts inside the Cofradía , and also participated in implementing and managing the
MR. In 1999, for example, surveillance activities were introduced at the sea and on
land, and several fi shers were employed as inspectors. In 2001, coordination activities began with the creation of Commissions for MRFI monitoring, an activity in
which fi shermen actively participated. At the same time, other stakeholders of the
Sea of Calms, such as scuba diving entrepreneurs, were neither invited nor considered at any point in the entire process. Despite voicing their concerns and opinions
about the MR to the government, they were often ignored. The MR was considered
12 Patron Mayor (president) and Vice-Patron Mayor (vice-president) are positions of responsibility
and representation within Spanish cofradías ; both are elected positions.
13 Order of 24 February 1996 that establishes the Reserva Marina Punta de La Restinga-Mar de las
Calmas . Of fi cial State Gazette, BOE, number 30, 3 February 1996, pp. 3765–6. Decree 30/1996 of
February 16 that creates a Marine Reserve of Fishing Interest in the area of “Punta de La RestingaMar de las Calmas”. Of fi cial Bulletin of the Canary Islands, published Monday 11 March 1996,
pp. 1472–4.