The idea that fisheries management should be participatory has been widely promoted for decades, and most international agreements on responsible fisheries aspire to include some degree of participation. Some research even suggests it is one of the most important attributes of successful fisheries management. But the concept itself is vague; how should governments organize participation? What aspects of fisheries management should be participatory, and who should be involved?

In the recent ‘Transparency Brief’ (tBrief), the Fisheries Transparency Initiative explored the different ways countries have interpreted and valued participation, which have led to a diverse set of arrangements. Unfortunately, people often become frustrated over participation and dismiss it as superficial, poorly managed, captured by vested interests, or inaccessible for marginalized groups.

In this webinar, hear the challenges of organizing participation in fisheries, drawing on expert insights from different countries and sectors from these speakers:

• Greta Ríos - Co-Executive Director, People Powered

• Dave Kerstetter - Assistant Professor, Halmos College of Arts & Sciences - Nova Southeastern University

• Arantza Murillas - Principal Researcher, Marine Research Division - AZTI

Learn the merits and pitfalls of alternative approaches—such as civic assemblies—currently being explored through a collaborative project between the Fisheries Transparency Initiative and People Powered. Continuing these debates is critical for promoting transparency in fisheries management; if we hope transparency supports the democratic governance of fisheries, what do we believe this democratic engagement should look like?