Assessment of Fisheries Governance Capacity in Local Communities of Golestan Province

Document Type : scientific research article

Authors

1 Iranian Fisheries Organization

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

3 Associate Professor, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

4 Professor, Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran

5 Professor, Department of Marine Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway

Abstract

This study investigated governance components related to fishing among illegal fishermen and the Conservation Unit in Bandar Torkaman and Gomishan. Standardized questionnaires were used to assess governance effectiveness (Cronbach's alpha: 0.83 for fishermen, 0.77 for the Conservation Unit). Factor analysis identified three key components explaining 59.5% of the variance, indicating their central role in the region’s governance structure. Findings showed that most illegal fishermen had been referred to judicial authorities (60.4%), and the majority considered the Conservation Unit’s presence highly influential in judicial decisions. Over half of the participants believed that license issuance largely aligns with fish stock status. Among Conservation Unit personnel, over 90% rated organizational decision-making and resource allocation as highly significant in their performance. Demographic analysis revealed no significant differences based on age, education, or residence, while work experience significantly influenced governance perceptions. Overall, the results suggest a relatively stable governance structure in the regional fishing sector, with the Conservation Unit playing an effective supervisory and enforcement role in ensuring compliance.

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Journal of Utilization and Cultivation of Aquatics
Volume 15, Issue 2
July 2026
Pages 1-22

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