Abstract

This study addresses fisheries governance in the border areas of Mexico-Guatemala and Chile-Peru, with a particular emphasis on how vertical governance from the neoliberal period have marginalised small-scale artisanal fishing communities. Adopting a comparative framework and underpinned by theories of marine justice, this study assesses the repercussions of these governance mechanisms on the rights and sustenance of these communities. Employing a multi-method methodology that encompasses comprehensive case studies, in-depth interviews, and analysis of policies, the research delves into contested territorialities, as well as the resistance and negotiation tactics used by fishers to assert their territorial rights and effectively engage in governance processes. The results uncover a range of resistance practices and underline the urgency for a reconfiguration towards more inclusive and horizontal governance models. The study makes a substantial contribution to the dialogue on blue justice, offering valuable insights for the restructuring of fisheries governance in cross-border settings, highlighting the importance of recognising and empowering the agency of artisanal