Whatever became of social objectives in fisheries policy?

Throughout most of the developed world, social objectives play a very subdued role in shaping fisheries policy. Despite the persistence of social issues, including access to fishing rights, renewal of the industry’s social capital and the sustainability of fishing communities, the attitude of policy makers is equivocal. Though prepared to acknowledge the relevance of such concerns, they are strangely unwilling to incorporate explicit social objectives into the design of fisheries policy. The paper explores the changing nature of social issues, involving a shift in political attention from the needs of the individual to broader community and societal concerns. And, in the context of the complex multi-level governance frameworks for European and UK fisheries management, it seeks explanations for the reluctance to commit to social objectives.