%A F. Zundel
%T Fishing for Influence: Power and Participation in Dutch Fisheries and  Maritime Spatial Planning
%L theses_frw2778
%X Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) was introduced as a tool to derive at ecologically, socially and economically balanced solutions for spatial conflicts resulting from a global shift towards the “Blue Economy“. Its stakeholder landscape sees traditional as well as emerging users which are marked by different cultural, economic and political backgrounds; giving rise to power asymmetries. This study investigated how power dynamics operate in the context of fisheries and MSP and how this translates to individual participation of Dutch fishermen. By the means of a quantitative online-survey combined with qualitative interviews this study identified that a high perceived power asymmetry has, paired with sectoral pressures, led to an increased political activity within the Dutch fishing sector. Together with an intense threat perception in economic, ecological and cultural terms and a dissatisfaction with invited participatory pathways this increased political activity has especially manifested within unconventional channels of participation such as protest.
%D 2019