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brings together diverse marine spaces (the Atlantic and the Mediterranean) as well as diverse

spaces within the Mediterranean. In other words, quotas provide the conditions in which

diverse spaces come together. Furthermore, quotas provide the conditions for the formation

of relationships. In this way a new assemblage is forming among Mediterranean tuna traps to

build a strong case in the appeal for a larger portion of the TAC. Rather than being critical of

the EU proposal, I am pointing out the limitations of the role that the tonnara must perform

as a fishery operating within a fishery policy regime through which such appeals must be

made. My intention is to show a relationship between the transformation of the tonnara and

the political limitations of the terms of a fishery operating in the context of fishery

governance, in which quota are the principle tool for fishery management.

Beliefs and ideas that frame and inform the possibilities available, for instance in

fishery management, are important components of a fishery (understood as a complex socio-

material construction). Barclay offers insight into the ideation sphere underpinning fishery

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governance through the notion of myth . The conceptual frameworks that we use to define
and address problems are based on mythic themes, which are ‘well-worn grooves of thoughts

and practices’ (Barclay 2016, p. 65). ‘[M]yths represent an established orientation towards

ontology and being in the world’ (Barclay 2016, p. 66). The drawback, however, is that they

can obstruct alternative realities, and prevent the creation of new and more effective

perspectives on problems (Barclay 2016, p. 66). Yet, as Barclay argues, even when old

principles underpinning fishery management are discredited, such as the myth of endless

abundance that dominated the colonial period, it is not simply a matter of dropping old

principles and accepting new ones (Barclay 2016, p. 66). Rather, change in governance

unfolds chaotically in a piecemeal fashion (Barclay 2016, p. 66). This suggests a coexistence

of myths, even when they might conflict. Indeed, often much of an old system remains,

becoming foundation for new approaches, with the outcomes of hybrid and at times confused

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