Constructing sustainability in EU fisheries: Re-drawing the boundary between science and politics?

This article critically assesses attempts by fishers to re-draw the science–politics boundary in European Union (EU) fisheries. Using concepts from interpretivism and constructivist institutionalism, I do this by tracing actor mobilisations to simultaneously contest the knowledge base of EU public instruments on the one hand and self-represent as holders of alternate knowledge on the other. In the subsequent re-adaptation of meanings of governing and production practices, fishers, scientists and managers alike appeared reflexive. They showed awareness of the politicisation of scientific advice, vocalised uncertainty over knowledge of fish stocks and appeared accepting of new types of everyday knowledge to assess fishing impacts. Significantly, therefore actor mobilisations appeared to be challenging the belief of a science separate from politics and which had caused failure in managing fisheries sustainably. Yet, although these mobilisations look like challenges to the narrative of the linear model of expertise, my research suggests that it is not at all clear that these actors have indeed abandoned this narrative. Rather, my findings reveal contradictory behaviour whereby actors show their awareness of politicisation of knowledge and scientification of politics, whilst simultaneously striving to keep science separate from politics. This case thus ultimately reveals the pervasive appeal of the myth of science as separate for politics and its political consequences for environmental protection policies.

► This paper examines actor challenges to the linear model of expertise in EU fisheries.
► I explain the collapse of command and control fisheries management practices.
► I analyse reflexive usages of non-traditional knowledge in Regional Advisory Councils of fishery stakeholders.
► Key actors mobilising change in the name of sustainability are private actors, not EU public actors.
► Command and control has not been defeated, but adapted and reconstructed as sustainable.