Most of these downfalls come from the CFPs inherent top-down approach. The EU has acknowledged the need click here for a regionalization of the CFP, where a greater involvement of stakeholders should be encouraged [21]. The application of collaborative policies, such as co-management, could potentially improve EU fishery policy. The gooseneck barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) fishery in the Asturian coast

(North Spain) is currently an important component of the artisanal fleet in this area [27]. In 1994, a co-management system was implemented in the Asturian gooseneck barnacle fishery, which continues to date. According to informal observations, co-management has enabled the sustainability of the system. However, an in-depth study of the system has not been attempted. Here, the implementation and development of this co-management system are explored. Co-management has allowed for an adaptive learning-based approach and a fine-scale management of the fishery (down to 3 m; Fig. 1), thereby endorsing the match of social, biological and management scales. Thus, the co-management system aids in Inhibitor Library the sustainability of the gooseneck barnacle fishery. The illustration of the Asturian gooseneck barnacle system provides insights about the potential for

co-management implementation and its prospects as a management approach in a broader European context. The Asturian co-management

system is located between the Eo estuary (29T 666839 4827388 UTM) and the eastern most part of Cape Peñas (29T 667714 4827400 UTM). It is divided in 7 regions with distinct management, denominated management plans for their Spanish name, which depend on the regional government (Principado de Asturias) and the local fishers׳ associations known as cofradías ( Fig. 1). Currently, the Tapia-Figueras, Viavélez, Ortiguera, Puerto de Vega, Luarca, Cudillero-Oviñana plans are seasonal with a harvest season that starts in October and ends in April, and a total individual daily allowable catch (TAC) per fisher that varies between 6 and 8 kg. However, the Cabo Peñas plan, which comprises the Luanco-Bañugues cofradías, allows harvesting all year with a constant Inositol monophosphatase 1 daily TAC of 8 kg per fisher. The distribution and dimension of the Asturian gooseneck barnacle co-management plans was characterized using the Principado de Asturias Coastal and Marine Geographic Information System. Each co-management plan is subdivided into management zones, which can be separate rocks, groups of rocks, or small coastal strips. Furthermore, information on the commercial quality of each zone was gathered from the Dirección General de Pesca Marítima del Principado de Asturias (DGPM) official records.