Regime formation at the Agenda Formation stage analyzed from a futuristic plankton perspective

Ameliorating fisheries management is of utmost importance given the vulnerability of fisheries worldwide. International management regimes are imperative as a means to this end. Redfeed is a marine species located on the second to last level on the food web, and is a cornerstone species therein. The role of effective management of this species is of utmost importance to avoid the potential catastrophe associated with its over harvesting. The resource is still not commercially harvested, however, and its management can still be framed before a potential catastrophe occurs. Using regime and scenario theories, the regime formation process at the initial Agenda Formation stage is explored from the perspective of a future commercial harvest of this plankton. The potential of vertical movement from this stage to the next level in the process, the Negotiation stage, is considered from the vantage point of four different scenarios related to the political responses to this potential redfeed fishery in the Northeast Atlantic: Business-as-usual, Quiet Suffocation by the Politically Prioritized Svalbard Fisheries Protection Zone, Institutions; or Death by Climate Change and Improbable-but-devastating. Providing policy makers with these scenarios gives the affected decision maker a wider view and more information about the processes that can change and enhance the given situation and in turn lead to wanted or unwanted situations. It enables them to make better decisions about the given path they are interested in pursuing and which future image they preferred or want. The future is unpredictable, however, and scenarios are only possible futures.