Governance, health, and well-being in small-scale fisheries: An interactive governance perspective on occupational health systems

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are among the most hazardous occupational sectors globally, exposing fishers to multiple risks ranging from musculoskeletal disorders and physical injuries to mental health challenges and economic insecurity. These risks are not merely biological or technical phenomena; they are shaped by how societies govern human well-being within fisheries systems. This article employs Interactive Governance (IG) theory to analyze how governance dynamics influence the governability of occupational health in SSF. Rather than a comparative analysis, the discussion positions Norway and Malawi along a governance spectrum that reveals how resources, institutional capacity, and participatory structures interact to shape occupational health outcomes. Norway represents a resource-enabling governance environment with structured institutions and advanced welfare mechanisms, while Malawi embodies a participatory but resource-constrained governance system. Drawing from theoretical literature and empirical studies, including Thorvaldsen et al. (2022), Ruud and Friis (2021), Holm et al. (2021), and Kalumbi et al. (2020), the sources direct the examination about how the interplay of resources, participation, and reflexivity determines the governability of occupational health and well-being in SSF. Findings indicate that both governance systems face limitations: Norway’s institutional complexity risks policy fragmentation, while Malawi’s participatory model struggles with infrastructural and institutional inadequacies. The paper concludes that improving occupational health and well-being in SSF requires adaptive, hybrid governance approaches that integrate participatory engagement with resource-enabled structures to enhance overall governability and sustainability. Ultimately, governability depends not solely on resources but on the adaptability, inclusivity, and reflexivity of governance systems that sustain both human well-being and fisheries resilience.