Page 227 - 《水产学报》2025年第8期

2025, 49(8): 089319 JOURNAL OF FISHERIES OF CHINA

DOI: 10.11964/jfc.20250414953

Scalar-politics in regional fisheries management
organizations

通信作者：何妤如，博士，上海海洋
大学副教授，硕士生导师，远洋渔业
HE Yuru 1,2* 国际履约研究中心成员，亚洲水产学
会会员。主要从事国际海洋法律与政
1. Research Center of International Compliance for Distant Water Fisheries, Shanghai
策、国际渔业组织与全球治理、渔业
Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; 2. College of Foreign Languages, Shang- 伦理等方面的研究。E-mail：yrhe@shou.
edu.cn
hai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China

Abstract: Regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) function as regional
eco-scalar fix to mediate spatial production contradictions in modern fisheries gov-
ernance by dynamically matching ocean scales and management authority. In order to
explore the opportunities and challenges of multi-scalar regional mechanisms in flexibly

managing shared biological resources, this paper leverages the theory of scalar politics to
资助项目：2024年度全球重要鱼种资
examine how RFMOs employ scalar strategies represented by upscaling, downscaling, 源动态监测评估项目 (D-8025-24-5001)

and rescaling under the international law of the sea. The size of physical space, the hier-
收稿日期：2025-04-09
archy of organizational space, and the scope of expressional space are analyzed respect- 修回日期：2025-06-16

ively. Through various scalar strategies, RFMOs negotiate power legitimacy and rebal- 文章编号：
1000-0615(2025)08-089319-19
ance the relations among fisheries actors to maintain or reshape power dynamics within 中图分类号：D 815；S 937.0
文献标志码：A
scalar processes. It is found that RFMOs are characterized by overlapping geographical
作者声明本文无利益冲突
mandates, increasing tensions between horizontal and vertical hierarchies, and differenti-
© 《水产学报》编辑部(CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
ated approaches between stronger and weaker stakeholders in their scalar management of
Copyright © Editorial Office of Journal of
shared fisheries. From flexible membership and participation models to diverse decision- Fisheries of China (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)

making mechanisms, fisheries actors manipulate institutional scales to align with their
interests, leveraging scalar cooperation or contention to rescale power relations. Driven by
emerging governance dynamics, notable trends are displayed in the expanded functions,
institutional modernization, refined zoning, mosaic membership, dynamic resource alloca-
tion, balanced conservation equity, and small-State clubbed governance within RFMOs.
While multi-scale collaboration promotes inclusivity, it can also fragment authority and
reduce efficiency. As global ocean governance enters a new phase, restructuring fisheries
governance will require not only scale adjustments in existing RFMOs but also
strengthened supervision in unregulated high seas beyond RFMOs jurisdiction. Fisheries
actors can further apply scalar strategies to improve influence, institutionalize proposals,
and recalibrate power dynamics, while multilateral mechanisms remain essential for coun-
tering the unilateral expansion of extraterritorial jurisdiction and preserving the integrity
of global governance systems.

中国水产学会主办 sponsored by China Society of Fisheries https://www.china-fishery.cn
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