Introduction

In arguing that fisheries governance should be founded on certain basic principles, we are essentially asking for several things. We are saying fisheries governors should be obliged to make their analytical, ethical, and political convictions explicit to others as well as to themselves. When governors define the problems they think should be addressed and ascribe certain solutions to these problems, they inevitably draw on fundamental assumptions and worldviews that should be brought to the surface so they can be explained, defended, and examined.

Do the convictions hold up to logical and ethical reasoning? We believe communication and hence the democratic process of decision-making would be strengthened if governors and stakeholders were to agree on basic principles. Even if they cannot agree on what the principles should be, they should at least be able to understand which concerns and stakes are involved, including those of other parties. This can only happen if principles are made clear. Principles come before goals and means. They determine which goals are valid, ethical, and reasonable. Governors and stakeholders should start by identifying the fundamental principles and go on from there to deduce the goals to be pursued before they finally turn to the means.

Something else we ask of principles is that they serve as a yardstick, something to relate to when we evaluate and criticise current governance systems and practices and suggest reforms. Which conceptual and moral standards are we referring to when we make judgements? How do actual governance systems and practices compare with our deeper convictions and concerns? In addition, we are asking for consistency. The normative foundations that fisheries governors use should be consistent. It does not make sense to propose a fisheries policy on the basis of conflicting normative considerations. If principles turn out to be inconsistent, this should be made explicit to enable everyone concerned to follow the normative reasoning followed by governors and to help them deal with the contradictions and dilemmas they face.

Some normative and ethical principles are universal and supposedly apply to all mankind. Human rights are a good example. Other moral and ethical principles are highly contextual, such as those that underpin share systems in fishing.