Dissecting co‐management: Fisher participation across management components and implications for governance

Co-management—fisher participation in fisheries management—varies across two fundamental dimensions. The most commonly addressed is a ‘ladder of participation’ reflecting the degree to which decision-making shared between government and fishers. other dimension reflects if, how, co-management implemented ‘management spectrum’ functional components management: (1) direction-setting, planning policy development; (2) harvest management; (3) compliance enforcement; (4) ecosystem stewardship, conservation, rehabilitation; (5) research; (6) organizational management development. This article presents an approach combining these dimensions comprehensive manner, better understand assess nuances practice. tested through application Nova Scotia, Canada, with representatives organized fisher associations assessing nature extent participation, both current desired, for each six components. leads insights about fishery that tend have greater or lesser differences perceived levels desired willingness capacity take on various tasks potential directions improve practices.