A model of compliance in fisheries: theoretical foundations and practical application

The article provides a theoretical approach to the issue of how fishers make decisions concerning compliant vs. non-compliant behaviour. Furthermore, the question of the extent to which such judgements can be influenced by the efforts of management authorities, is addressed. While the concept of compliance per se is rather seldom treated in the social science debate on resource management, it nevertheless lies at the heart of much of this literature. On the basis of major traditions in the debate, a model of fisher compliance is elaborated, emphasising coercive and discursive measures as two main mechanisms to be used by public authorities to induce compliance in individuals.