Governance of fisheries in the international watercourses of Spain and Portugal. The River Minho Condominium

Abstract

International watercourses relations are influenced by the political context and can serve as arenas for governance aimed at the sustainable management of water resources. On the border between Spain and Portugal, the first fishing agreements were formalised in the late 19th century, shortly after the signing of the treaty delimiting the political borders. This study focuses on the analysis of the role of these agreements in the international stretches of rivers and how they have contributed to fostering cross-border cooperation between both countries. Special attention is paid to the River Minho Condominium, where the predominant role of the military in controlling and supervising fishing in the river is highlighted. Through the analysis of these agreements and interviews conducted with various local stakeholders, including authorities, representatives of fishermen’s associations, environmental organisations, military personnel, and officials, this research reveals two main outcomes. Firstly, it emphasises that one of the benefits of fishing agreements lies in their capacity to promote cooperation in other areas beyond the river itself, encouraging new initiatives and projects in this cross-border region. Secondly, it points out that the supervisory role of the military in the River Minho, though historically accepted by the local community, currently faces some critical perspectives; among them, those advocating the opportunity to progress in establishing a cross-border civil body with authority over the comprehensive management of the international stretch of the River Minho.