Rethinking the future of fishing in Spain: Stakeholder perceptions, conflicts, and structural challenges.

The Spanish fishing sector, one of the most important in Europe, faces structural challenges related to governance, digitalisation, working conditions and socio-economic sustainability. Despite the technological advances and the regulations implemented, problems such as job burnout, job insecurity and tensions between actors in the sector persist. This study analyzes the perceptions of 182 key stakeholders of the fishing sector in Spain through a structured survey based on five dimensions (Economy, Society, Politics, Technology and Social Context) and four fisheries performance indicators. Random Forest models were used to identify the most influential factors in the perception of the state of the sector. The results reveal that job burnout and professional profile are the main determinants of fishing perception, followed by the implementation of technology, which has mixed effects on the sustainability of the sector. A marked fragmentation in perceptions is observed according to the interest group, with fishermen and government agents showing a more negative view compared to scientists and NGOs. In addition, conflicts within the sector exceed cooperative actions in frequency, evidencing fragmented governance and difficulties in reaching consensus. These findings underscore the need for more inclusive management strategies, which include the perception of all actors and promote a balance between sustainability, workplace well-being and technological innovation. • Random Forest models identify key factors shaping stakeholder perceptions in Spanish fisheries. • Governance fragmentation and labor precarity persist despite regulatory and technological advances. • Fishers and government actors perceive the sector more negatively than scientists and NGOs. • Structural challenges include tensions, digitalization gaps, and unequal sustainability outcomes. • Policy efforts should integrate diverse stakeholder views to foster inclusive and adaptive governance.