ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses several ways of approaching governing situations in salmon farming in Scotland and the Shetlands. The official position had always been that salmon farming and nature conservation go together perfectly, obviating need for coastal zones specially designated to marine fish farming development in Scotland. The chapter explains the need for action co-ordination of salmon farmers sharing a common water body to prevent the outbreak of pests and disease epidemics. From a communicative-action perspective, co-ordinated action at the local level does not necessarily depend solely or mainly on social co-ordination mechanisms, as has been suggested by community-based management advocates. From a socio-political perspective, the chapter describes the development of the coastal zone with the help of a theory of communicative action, as well as a model of local control over local resource exploitation. The Tragedy of the Commons results from the absence or collapse of local control over local resources.
