The Common Fisheries Policy and Competing Perspectives on Integration

Abstract

"The theoretical debate over the dynamics of European integration is today, it can be argued, dominated by a (liberal) intergovernmentalist perspective stressing the centrality of the state and an alternative multi-level governance perspective stressing the extent to which new power centres, actors and interdependencies are emerging - with diminishing state control over the integration process as a possible result. This paper discusses the Common Fisheries Policy of the European Union with reference to these perspectives. The aim is to contribute to the understanding of the challenges of reforming the fisheries management framework. This paper argues that, although recent developments in the Common Fisheries Policy seem to a significant extent concurrent with the model/prescriptions of the multi-level governance perspective, the fisheries policy reform attempts remain restricted by broad member state opposition to giving up competencies and powers in specific topic areas of fundamental importance to effective fisheries management. In a concluding discussion this paper discusses the perspective of regionalisation of the Common Fisheries Policy in the light of the findings."