Reform of the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy: Making Fisheries Management Work

On the eve of the long awaited debate on reforming the CFP, Making Fisheries Management Work offers a new perspective on why some systems succeed and others fail. The authors contrast the smooth transfer between policy formulation and implementation in Norway with the weaknesses inherent in a two-tier governance system involving Denmark and the EU where implementation drift can subvert the original policy intention. The Commission's Green Paper on reforming the CFP recognises the symptoms but not the causes of poor implementation. Rather than seek to bring discipline to the implementation process, the main thrust of its proposals is to rebalance management responsibilities by devolving decision making to the regions and in effect creating a three-tier system of governance. An interesting debate is likely between those who favour a relaxation of central management and those who fear its consequences.