The complexity of socio-ecological systems and the inherently wicked nature of fisheries management— characterised by diverse and nuanced stakeholder groups with conflicting values, priorities, and goals — make it challenging to develop and enforce governance strategies that are both ecologically sustainable and equitable. While illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities are distinct actions that can impact fisheries at all scales, the contexts in which they occur vary significantly across large- and small-scale fisheries, reflecting diverse drivers, dynamics, and impacts. Consequently, many top-down fisheries management frameworks often clash with reality, and management approaches frequently fail to account for these nuances and differences, instead applying uniform solutions. Therefore, there is a need to better balance marine conservation efforts with societal needs in the appropriate contexts.

This research aims to provide a fine-scale understanding of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by exploring how local fishing communities perceive regulations, reporting requirements, and enforcement. It will identify the costs and benefits of such measures and investigate how communities evaluate the effectiveness of current fisheries governance.

Using semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted within small-scale fisheries across South Asia, we explore the following questions:

1. What are the perceptions of various stakeholder groups within small-scale fishing communities regarding fisheries regulations, reporting requirements, and enforcement measures?

2. What are local stakeholders’ views on the current conditions of their small-scale fishing communities?

By prioritising local perspectives, this work seeks to provide insights into factors that may threaten or support well-managed fisheries.