The Role of Co-management Platforms in Addressing Critical Issues Within Sri Lanka's Fisheries Sector

According to IISD (International Institute for Sustainable Development) “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’’. However, many organizations focus on short-term profits while the contribution of human resource management towards sustainable development is pushed to the margins. Intensive labour practices, poor working conditions and poor work systems in Kenya are some of the issues that have been found not to contribute towards sustainability in organizations and in keeping with the 8th sustainable development goal of Promoting “sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all”. Lack of focus on sustainable human resource management practices will make it difficult for Kenya to achieve Vision 2030 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-goals). Sustainable Human Resource management focuses on managing the people resources in an organization so as to achieve long-term sustainable goals that not only benefit the organization but also the society and the environment at large. This Paper is a literature review and analysis on sustainable Human Resource Management and its benefits to the employees, their families and society at large by exploring sustainable HR practices, sustainable work systems and sustainable resource management that also provide for the sustainable performance of organizations in keeping with the need for corporate sustainability. The paper also explores reporting on sustainable HRM practices as part of corporate sustainability reporting in Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firms

Increased use of forest resources to meet increasing world demand for wood and other forest products threatens forest sustainability and highlights the importance of conservation and sustainable management of these resources. Maintaining well-adapted and productive forests, and conserving natural forest genetic resources are important for sustainable forest management. Over exploitation of species can lead to excessive forest fragmentation and reduction of population sizes to a point that threatens population viability and species existence. In many cases, restoration of genetic resources of threatened species is needed. Molecular genetic markers, combined with population genetic principles and concepts, can greatly facilitate programs in conservation, restoration and sustainable management of forest genetic resources. We have used various biochemical and molecular genetic markers, such as allozymes, microsatellite DNA, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and sequence-tagged site markers, to examine effects of alternative silvicultural harvesting and regeneration systems, and forest fragmentation and small population size on genetic diversity, fine-scale population genetic structure, mating system and other population genetic parameters in white spruce (Picea glauca), eastern white pine (Pinus strobus), and red spruce (Picea rubens). The objectives of our studies are to provide genetic benchmarks and indicators for developing guidelines for genetically sustainable forest management practices and scientifically sound strategies for conservation and restoration of forest genetic resources. The results of these studies are discussed, particularly in the context of sustainable management, conservation and restoration of forest genetic resources.

The ecosystem approach—as endorsed by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) in 2000—is a strategy for holistic, sustainable, and equitable natural resource management, to be implemented via the 12 Malawi Principles. These principles describe the need to manage nature in terms of dynamic ecosystems, while fully engaging with local peoples. It is an ambitious concept. Today, the term is common throughout the research and policy literature on environmental management. However, multiple meanings have been attached to the term, resulting in confusion. We reviewed references to the ecosystem approach from 1957 to 2012 and identified 3 primary uses: as an alternative to ecosystem management or ecosystem-based management; in reference to an integrated and equitable approach to resource management as per the CBD; and as a term signifying a focus on understanding and valuing ecosystem services. Although uses of this term and its variants may overlap in meaning, typically, they do not entirely reflect the ethos of the ecosystem approach as defined by the CBD. For example, there is presently an increasing emphasis on ecosystem services, but focusing on these alone does not promote decentralization of management or use of all forms of knowledge, both of which are integral to the CBD’s concept. We highlight that the Malawi Principles are at risk of being forgotten. To better understand these principles, more effort to implement them is required. Such efforts should be evaluated, ideally with comparative approaches, before allowing the CBD’s concept of holistic and socially engaged management to be abandoned or superseded. It is possible that attempts to implement all 12 principles together will face many challenges, but they may also offer a unique way to promote holistic and equitable governance of natural resources. Therefore, we believe that the CBD’s concept of the ecosystem approach demands more attention.La Necesidad de Desenredar Conceptos Clave del Argot Ambiente-EstrategiaResumenLa estrategia ambiental – como es promocionada por la Convención Biológica sobre Diversidad en 2000 – es una estrategia para un manejo holístico, sustentable y equitativo de recursos naturales, que habrá de implementarse por vía de los 12 Principios de Malawi. Estos principios describen la necesidad de manejar la naturaleza en términos de ecosistemas dinámicos, mientras se compromete totalmente con las personas locales. Es un concepto ambicioso. Hoy en día, el término es común en la investigación y la literatura de políticas sobre el manejo ambiente. Sin embargo, se han relacionado múltiples significados con el término, lo que resulta en confusión. Revisamos referencias a la estrategia ambiental de 1957 a 2012 e identificamos tres usos principales: como una alternativa para manejo ambiental o basado en ecosistemas; en referencia a una estrategia integrada y equitativa para el manejo de recursos según la CBD; y como un término que indica un enfoque en el entendimiento y la valuación de los servicios ambientales. Aunque los usos de este término y sus variantes pueden traslaparse en su significado, típicamente no reflejan en su totalidad los valores de la estrategia ambiental como fue definida por la CBD. Por ejemplo, actualmente hay un énfasis creciente en los servicios ambientales, pero enfocarse solamente en estos no promueve la descentralización del manejo o el uso de todas las formas de conocimiento, siendo ambas integrales para el concepto de la CBD. Resaltamos que los Principios de Malawi están en riesgo de ser olvidados. Para entender mejor estos principios, se requiere de más esfuerzo para implementarlos. Dichos esfuerzos deben ser evaluados, idóneamente con estrategias comparativas, antes de permitir que el concepto de la CBD de manejo holístico y comprometido socialmente sea abandonado o reemplazado. Es posible que los intentos por implementar los 12 principios juntos enfrentarán muchos obstáculos, pero también pueden ofrecer una forma única de promover el gobierno holístico y equitativo de los recursos naturales. Así, creemos que el concepto de estrategia ambiental de la CBD exige mayor atención.

Bangladesh is considered as one of the most suitable riverine country endowed with the rich inland and marine fisheries resources with enormous aquaculture potential. The suitable geographical location of Bangladesh along with its huge number of aquatic species offer excellent opportunities for the effective utilization and management of fisheries resources. Fisheries sector in Bangladesh represents as one of the most productive and dynamic sectors in the country. The country’s fisheries sector plays a significant role in food security, employment, and foreign exchange earnings in the economy. The sector contributes 3.65% to the national GDP and 23.81% to the total agricultural GDP. Fish and fishery products are the country's second largest export commodity contributing 1.97 percent of its exchange earnings in 2015–2016. From the year 2000 to 2016, aquaculture production increased from 712,640 to 2,060,408 mt, which was much higher than wild capture production of 1.023 million mt in 2016. There has also been a recent increase in the value of fishery exports, with more than US $34.08 billion in 2010 rising to more than US $46.60 billion in 2015. However, fisheries production is well below production targets despite the large gains seen in the aquaculture sector. However, the fisheries sector in the 21st century is facing the challenges of food security for the increasing population, habitat degradation, urbanization, and industrial development. Development of responsible fisheries management and optimal use of water bodies can address those challenges. Since fishery is a productive growth sector in Bangladesh, it has high potential to contribute in the socioeconomic development of the country. In this paper, we also make an attempt to examine the current legal status of Bangladesh fisheries and constraints in the implementation of fisheries laws. It is identified that twelve fisheries regulations are executed for the regulation and management of the fisheries resources in Bangladesh. Among these laws, a few are historically important for the regulating and managing of fisheries. These laws are implemented with some amendments for the development of legal mechanisms for fisheries development of Bangladesh. The implementations of these laws often met limited success due to a number of shortcomings in the legislations. The constraints in the implementation are the lack of clear policy guidelines and strategy; inadequacy of existing regulatory framework, non-enforcement of legislation and jurisdictional conflicts, the absence of regular law review and updating mechanism and formulation of by-laws, rules, orders etc. However, in recent years, Bangladesh Government has taken some initiatives towards the conservation and management of fish stocks (e.g., hilsa fishery), both to optimize total production and ensure fisher’s livelihoods. Furthermore, a comprehensive legal framework is required for sustainable management of fisheries resources in Bangladesh.

Against the backdrop of increasingly interconnected environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, enterprises must formulate sustainable strategies to achieve synergistic development among economic performance, social responsibility, and ecological conservation. As a core organizational resource, human resources serves as a critical enabler for fulfilling corporate social responsibility (CSR) and driving sustainable development. Whether enterprises can enhance the contribution of human resources to the fulfillment of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development is an important issue that currently needs to be studied in the field of human resource management. Therefore, this research follows the grounded theory method, integrates CSR and sustainable development theories, and uses systematic thinking to deeply explore the concept and structure of sustainable human resource management systems, and it develops relevant scales and combines exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis methods to revise and validate the scales. The research results show that the sustainable human resource management system is a multidimensional concept, including the following: employee rights protection, employee training and development, employee occupational health, employee relations management, and sustainable development management; its measurement scale contains five factors, with a total of 20 items. The results of factor analysis indicate that the reliability and validity tests of the developed scale have reached an ideal level. The research results enrich the concept and connotation of sustainable human resource management systems, and the development of the sustainable human resource management systems scale aims to promote the extension of the field of sustainable human resource management systems from theoretical exploration to empirical analysis research, providing a theoretical basis for Chinese enterprises to achieve sustainable development goals.

In October 2024, Hult et al. published the article ‘Decent and Precarious Work Among Nursing and Care Workers: A Mixed-Method Systematic Review’ in Journal of Advanced Nursing. The article critically examines the impact of decent and precarious work on nursing outcomes. We acknowledge the value of their contributions and appreciate the authors' efforts in broadening our understanding of employment quality in healthcare. However, we believe that recent studies on related themes offer additional perspectives that may enhance the discourse initiated by Hult et al. Here, we draw on three of our previously published studies to extend their findings. Our study, titled ‘Decent Work and Ethical Ideologies of Nurses: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study’, highlighted how decent work influences nurses' ethical ideologies, such as idealism and relativism (Zoromba et al. 2024). Similar to Hult et al.'s findings, we found that decent work fosters favourable workplace behaviours, particularly adherence to ethical standards. However, our study emphasises that key components such as organisational values and interpersonal safety are not only essential for well-being but also promote ethical ideologies. This underscores that fostering decent work conditions benefits both the emotional and ethical dimensions of healthcare work. Our second study, ‘How Decent Work Influences Internal Whistleblowing Intentions: The Mediating Roles of Felt Obligation and Organizational Identification’, examined how decent work promotes proactive behaviours like whistleblowing (El-Gazar and Zoromba 2024). While Hult et al. primarily focus on employee retention and well-being, our research suggests that decent work can also catalyse moral actions by strengthening organisational identification. Specifically, our findings demonstrate that felt obligation and identification mediate the relationship between decent work and whistleblowing intentions, providing a framework to explore other ethical behaviours cultivated by decent work conditions. In ‘The Role of Psychological Ownership in Linking Decent Work to Nurses' Vigor at Work: A Two-Wave Study’, we explored how psychological ownership mediates the effect of decent work on vigour (El-Gazar et al. 2024). While Hult et al. emphasise the mental health benefits of decent work, we propose that vigour offers a complementary lens for understanding employee engagement. Our findings suggest that decent work not only reduces stress but also fosters an environment where nurses feel ownership of their roles, leading to sustained energy and job satisfaction. The nuanced inclusion of psychological ownership deepens the understanding of how decent work translates into high job performance (International Labour Organization, 2019). While Hult et al.'s systematic review provides a comprehensive overview, highlighting the significance of sustainable employment policies in mitigating precarious work conditions, our findings highlight the need to explore additional dimensions, such as ethical ideologies, whistleblowing and psychological ownership, within the context of decent work. Our research suggests that the concept of decent work extends beyond job satisfaction to encompass critical moral and behavioural outcomes. This recent approach of nursing research stressing investing in leadership programs to foster organisational identification and ethical behaviours, including whistleblowing, encouraging psychological ownership through strategies that enhance nurses' autonomy and engagement. To further enrich this discourse, we recommend that future studies adopt longitudinal approaches, as employed in our two-wave design, to capture temporal changes in work conditions and behaviours. Additionally, interventions aimed at enhancing organisational values and psychological ownership could amplify the benefits of decent work. Conclusion: We commend Hult et al. for their valuable contribution to nursing research. Our studies complement their findings by offering insights into the behavioural and psychological outcomes associated with decent work. We hope that our discussion encourages further research and informs practical interventions aimed at enhancing working conditions in healthcare. M.A.Z. and H.E.E. planned the letter and made substantial contributions to conception and design. M.A.Z., S.A.A. and H.E.E. were major contributors in writing and drafting the manuscript. H.E.E. and M.A.Z. were major contributors in writing the letter. All authors given final approval of the version to be published and Agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. The authors have nothing to report. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Data sharing is not applicable to this article, as no new data were created or analyzed in this study.

IntroductionDecent work and gender equality are critical for fostering sustainable economic and social development. Even though the last three decades have seen several positive advancements in gender equality, disparities still exist in several ways, with research indicating that young women face more obstacles to employment and professional advancement than their male counterparts.MethodsAn on-line cross-sectional survey was conducted with a sample of 190 Portuguese young adults who work to examine key factors of decent work such fundamental principles and values at work, adequate working time and workload, fulfilling and productive work, meaningful remuneration for the exercise of citizenship, social protection, opportunities and health and safety.ResultsThe analysis reveals gender differences in most of the dimensions of decent work, suggesting that gender plays a significant role in shaping these perceptions. Findings also suggested differential effects of having a team leader position and work schedules for male and female young workers.DiscussionUnderstanding these gendered perceptions is crucial for policymakers and employers aiming to promote gender equality and decent work for all. By addressing the specific perceptions of decent work both men and women using the gender equity lens can raise awareness about the barriers that act against equitable work environments, enabling to both men and women to create a positive future for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Indonesia is a country rich in demersal and crustacean fish resources (such as snapper, grouper, crab, crab, shrimp, lobster, etc.). The high biodiversity and abundance of this group of fish resources is due to Indonesia has coral reefs, as well as extensive shallow coastal waters. The biodiversity of demersal and crustase fish resources has not been fully managed properly, even though the demersal and crustase fisheries sector contributes greatly to the country’s economy. The challenges faced by demersal and frustrated fisheries are getting tougher, ranging from population decline due to overfishing, environmental/habitat degradation, business aspects after the COVID-19 pandemic, to global issues such as climate change. The trends and scientific status of fisheries resources need to be well understood as a benchmark for scientific development and responding to future challenges. In this case, scientific forums can be one of the necessary vehicles where relevant parties can discuss various challenges, alternative solutions, and important issues that exist today and in the future in the context of developing science and sustainable management of fisheries resources. The Department of Aquatic Resources Management (ARM), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FFMS), IPB University took the initiative to hold the International Seminar on Demersal and Crustacean Fisheries Management (ISDCFM). The seminar was held hybrid at the IPB International Convention Center, Bogor on August 2-3, 2023. The ISDCFM was the first international seminar that emphasizes the direction and strategy of sustainable management, as well as promoting better governance of demersal and crustacean fisheries, by collecting research results in various aspects, from basic to applied science development, down to the policy and trade side. The seminar covers several topics including ecology, habitat, and conservation of the species, product and technology diversification, domestication and cultivation of the species, social-ecological systems and fisheries management, and blue economy fishing industry. The seminar was attended by six keynote speakers, 56 oral presentations, and 11 poster presentations. Presenters come from at least eight countries: Indonesia, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Sudan, China, Japan, and Czech Republic. The total participants of this activity were 147 participants, both national and international. Six keynote speakers were experts from various fields, including Dr. Agus Suherman from the Directorate General of Capture Fisheries MMAF, Prof. Dr. Luky Adrianto from the IPB University, Poly Burns from Marine Stewardship Council, Amber von Harten from Sustainable Fisheries Partnership, Dr. Petrus Johannes Mous from Yayasan Konservasi Alam Nusantara, and Kuncoro Catur Nugroho from Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab Association. Many new ideas, insights, methodologies, and state-of-the-art science can be studied and adopted to improve our work in this important area. There have been many interesting and useful presentations in plenary and interactive sessions. Many good experiences have been shared and lessons learned, including in the aspects of ecology, fisheries management, and social economic of demersal and crustacean resources. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all partners, namely the Department of Aquatic Resources Management (ARM IPB University), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FFMS IPB University), Indonesian Blue Swimming Crab Association (APRI), and Indonesian Demersal Association (ADI). Also, we would like to thank all the speakers, reviewers, and the committee for organizing this event and ensuring it runs smoothly. List of Editorial team and Organizing Committees are available in this Pdf.

The management of natural resources has become a crucial agenda item at the community level of every country, due to the importance of a community’s direct involvement in the stewardship of these resources. The sustainable management of natural resources is not easy without the involvement of the community. To know the attitudes of residents in the communities in close proximity to Central Karakoram National Park (CKNP) towards natural resource sustainable management policy, a study of CKNP in northern Pakistan was conducted. This is the first community study for this park. It is difficult to overstate the economic and geographic importance of this national resource to the Pakistani people at local and national levels, as well as at the international level. This is the world’s highest public park; as a natural resource it is not only important to the local community, it also has great relevance internationally. The study attempted to gauge the attitudes of the local community towards the sustainable management practices of CKNP. The results of this study showed generally positive attitudes towards the park. The majority of respondents revealed that the park’s primary appeal is its geographic location. Households were afraid that pollution in the park will gradually destroy the park’s natural resources. For sustainable management of the CKNP, community members expressed willingness to contribute to the betterment of park through volunteerism. Community members praised the government’s supportive actions, including budgetary support and public-awareness campaigns. As such, the positive attitude of the community towards the CKNP also revealed new insights for the community-centered sustainable management of natural resources in developing countries. This study also provides a research gap for future work relating to the sustainable management of community-based natural resources to consider more factors beside the factors used in this study.

Sustainable resource management involve managing resources in a way that their sources are not depleted; so that the future generations can also benefit from it. Africa is endowed with diverse and abundant natural resources and stands at a critical juncture where responsible and sustainable management of these resources is paramount for the continent’s development. The Kenyan governments (national-level and county-level) recognize the need for sustainable resource management for the good of the citizens. In devolved government units in Kenya, sustainable resource management is critical. This study sought to assess the dynamics of accountability on sustainable resource management in county government of Kericho, Kenya. The study was guided by Resource-based view theory, administrative theory, transformational leadership theory and the theory of Planned Behaviour. This study adopted a pragmatism approach that took a practical and flexible approach, focusing on the usefulness and applicability of research findings, rather than an all-or-nothing, mutually exclusive philosophical position. A descriptive research design with a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative data collections was adopted. The target population of the study comprised a total of 213 senior, middle and lower level management staff of the county government of Kericho. The Stratified random sampling was used to develop a sample from different management groups. A sample of 139 management staff was selected using Slovin’s formula. Reliability of the study was ensured by conducting a pilot study in the neighbouring County Government of Nakuru while context, content and criterion validity were ascertained by the researcher in the field of study. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics which described the nature of ethical leadership and sustainable resource management. Inferential statistics (Pearson’s correlation and regression analysis) were used to determine the nature of influence between the variables. This was done with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Qualitative data was analysed by themes and content analysis. The study findings revealed that accountability had a statistically significant influence on sustainable resource management. The study concluded that there exists a strong and significant relationship between accountability (r=0.940 and p=0.000) and sustainable resource management in Kericho County, Kenya. The study recommends that accountability in record management, auditing and procurement processes should be promoted as a way of promoting sustainable resource management in county governance.

This Rapid Evidence Review highlights how women's empowerment influences climate change mitigation and sustainable natural resource management. Key findings include: Political representation - Increased female participation in governance correlates with stricter climate policies and lower CO2 emissions; Social empowerment - Enhanced political status for women supports positive environmental outcomes such as reduced deforestation and emissions; Gender equality - Strong correlations exist between gender equality and lower CO2 emissions, along with better environmental performance overall; Education and resilience - Women's education is crucial in reducing vulnerability to natural disasters; Social protection programs and corporate leadership - These promote resilience and sustainable practices, especially when linked with environmental conditions; Sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and land tenure - Both are effective in fostering environmental resilience and sustainable management. Water resource management: Women's involvement leads to more effective and sustainable water projects. The review also notes some limited evidence and emerging challenges in linking women's empowerment with broader environmental outcomes in areas like education's role in climate change, community management of natural resources, and green employment. The review emphasises the importance of integrating women's perspectives in environmental policies to harness these positive outcomes effectively.

The article reveals the role of gender equality as a key component of the concept of sustainable development in the context of modern challenges of the rule of law. Attention is drawn to the integration of a gender approach into the legal system as a prerequisite for ensuring social justice, economic growth and democratic processes. International and national documents are analyzed, in particular the UN General Assembly Resolution “Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development». Emphasis is placed on Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower women. The article shows the interconnection of gender equality with other sustainable development goals, including quality education, decent work, economic growth and reduction of inequality. The article traces the evolution of the concept of “gender” in legal discourse - from a psychological term to an interdisciplinary legal category. The contribution of Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the introduction of the term “gender” into legal practice, which opened up new horizons for human rights strategies, is considered. Based on the analysis of research by Ukrainian and foreign scholars, international rankings (Global Gender Gap Index, UN Human Development Index, EU Gender Equality Index), conclusions are drawn about the current state of gender equality in the world and in Ukraine. The dynamics of changes in various spheres: politics, economy, education, and healthcare are highlighted. The author emphasizes the lack of progress in overcoming structural inequality, especially in the political representation of women. The author emphasizes the need to ensure not only formal but also de facto gender equality, which includes creating conditions for the full realization of the potential of each person, regardless of gender. Particular attention is paid to the Ukrainian context, in particular, to the introduction of the national Gender Equality Index, which allows for a holistic assessment of the balance between women and men in key areas of life. The article substantiates the need for a consistent gender-sensitive policy at all levels of government to achieve the goals of sustainable development.

The bibliometric study based on the Scopus database aims to investigate the global literary development of “decent work” over a span exceeding two decades. The noticeable surge in publications since 2015 underscores the growing significance of the concept. Limited representation of lower‐middle and lower‐income countries, except India, among the top 10 contributors is observed, revealing a considerable research gap in the study of decent work. The research highlights five principal themes: the labor market's impact on economic development, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development, gender equality, governance, and social justice, as well as decent work, job quality, education, well‐being, and job satisfaction. The study also shows the importance of the topic in different fields. Future researchers may consider the variables or indicators identified for surveys and questionnaire construction.

This study aims to describe and analyze the policies of the Bangkalan Regency Regional Government in increasing development in the fisheries sector in coastal areas, as well as the supporting and inhibiting factors for development in the sector. Data collection techniques include interviews, observations, and documentation. Research informants are from the Bangkalan Regency Bappeda, the Bangkalan Regency Agriculture Office, the Bangkalan Regency Government in the field of development, and district and village offices. The data analysis technique uses the interactive model developed by Miles et al. (2014), namely data condensation, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of the study show that the policies of the Bangkalan Regency Regional Government in increasing development in the fisheries sector in coastal areas have accommodated the interests of the community, especially in the fisheries sector, which touches all levels of society, so the development policies implemented run as planned. The process of communicating and delivering information about fisheries development policies, especially in coastal areas, is carried out through meetings between Muspika and the Fisheries Service, attended by all appointed employees to participate in socializing fisheries development policies. The efforts made by the Bangkalan Regency Regional Government in increasing development in the fisheries sector in coastal areas include utilizing fisheries experts to be involved in program implementation. The commitment of the Bangkalan Regency Regional Government in improving development in the fisheries sector in coastal areas is demonstrated by carrying out the agency's vision and mission, namely realizing the fisheries sector in Bangkalan Regency as a center for integrated fisheries economic growth and development with sustainable resource and fisheries management. The Bangkalan Regency Regional Government coordinates and cooperates with related parties in the implementation of the fisheries sector development policy. Supporting factors include institutional support in the form of donations and ideas from the community in planning, as well as support from the private sector and NGOs in community economic empowerment. Inhibiting factors include inadequate institutional facilities and infrastructure, the wide and separated target areas, and the community's mindset, which is still not responsive to development programs.

Fish represent a politically regulated, scientifically researched, industrially processed, commercially marketed and socially contested living marine resource. Related to this, the incorporation of resource users and stakeholders into fisheries management is particularly important. Such involvement has recently improved in terms of frequency, but institutional frameworks often result in a lack of recognition and integration of the diverse ‘knowledges’ of stakeholders involved. Against this background, we aim to uncover the potentials of additional knowledge types for management purposes, paving the way toward a more collaborative management. We first conducted qualitative expert interviews with different stakeholder groups (e.g., commercial fisheries, eNGO and administration) to map various ‘knowledges’ about cod (Gadus morhua), a major resource species in the Western Baltic Sea to reveal the various experiences and epistemologies revolving around it. The second analytical step consisted of examining how these ‘knowledges’ structure, inform and often enter into conflict with perspectives on and assessments of fisheries management. Potentials were identified regarding enhanced stakeholder engagement in management processes that provide food for thought to seek change in sustainable management of fish stocks in the future. Our study is a pointer to the need to transform fisheries management in a more social and participatory way. We argue that sustainable natural resource management cannot be designed solely by integrating more ‘knowledges’ (knowledge sharing) but requires the creation of social contexts and institutions with stakeholder empowerment at the local level (power sharing) to sustainably manage natural resources such as commercially importance fish stocks.