Evaluating fisheries’ governance effectiveness in supporting ecosystem-based management: A Q-methodology assessment of stakeholder perspectives in Greek waters

This study investigates stakeholder perceptions of fisheries governance in the Patraikos Gulf, a key fishing ground in the eastern Ionian Sea, with a focus on the management of hake ( Merluccius merluccius ), a species of high commercial importance in one of the region’s main nursery areas. Using Q methodology, we engaged stakeholders across multiple governance levels, including national, regional, and local decision-makers, trawl and small-scale fishers, and scientists. The analysis identified three distinct stakeholder discourses (Factors A, B, and C), alongside areas of consensus, providing insight into governance dynamics within this socio-ecological system. Findings reveal both divergence and convergence in stakeholder perspectives. While views differ on specific management measures, stakeholders share concerns regarding limited coordination, low trust between authorities and local actors, and insufficient inclusion in decision-making processes. Situating the case within the broader Mediterranean policy context, where ecosystem-based fisheries management (EBFM) is widely promoted, the study examines how stakeholders perceive the capacity of existing governance systems to operationalize its principles in practice. The results indicate that governance challenges observed in the Patraikos Gulf, including fragmented authority, legitimacy deficits, and limited participation, reflect broader structural patterns in the region. They also suggest that governance approaches perceived as adaptive, transparent, and responsive to local socio-ecological conditions may help improve alignment between policy frameworks and implementation. In this context, fine-grained governance, i.e., governance approaches that account for spatial and social heterogeneity by tailoring measures to local ecological conditions and stakeholder contexts, is identified as a potential direction for strengthening fisheries governance.