In recent decades, much of the progress observed in the study of beaches to aid policy has focused on producing sound substantive and/or contextual knowledge. However, attention has not usually been paid to the procedural manner in which it has been produced. Guided by an open learning process, this study aims to develop and present an expanded reviewed assessment of the Catalan coast operationalized by means of the Double-Looped Beach Quality Index (DL-BQI). Such openness helps us to understand which narratives of beach management in Catalonia are operating (and which are excluded), the extent to which they are unfolding, and the capacity of the DL-BQI to provide information for policymaking. Data collection enabled assessment of 96 representative beaches on the Catalan coast, that may find correspondence with other geographic locations. Both the instrument used for the assessment – the DL-BQI – and its results were co-evaluated at a multi-stakeholder meeting. In general, beaches have mainly been conditioned to supply elements for tourism and leisure. Different pressures have arisen from the orientation towards such activities, usually according to beach type, most of them negatively impacting the ecological assets and natural heritage of beaches. The economic growth narrative, albeit predominant, was shown to be deficient for tackling complex coastal problems, i.e. intensifying ecological deterioration. Alternatively, the study shows the importance for regional coastal policy of considering the value of beaches as natural systems, as advocated, to a greater or lesser extent, by the narratives of sustainability, environmental protection and integrated coastal zone management. This research innovates on considering substantive, contextual and procedural dimensions of knowledge quality for the governance of beach systems, by relating dimensions, narratives and outcomes.

近几十年来，在海滩研究以帮助政策方面观察到的许多进展都集中在产生可靠的实质性和/或背景知识上。但是，通常没有注意其产生的程序方式。在开放学习过程的指导下，本研究旨在开发和介绍通过双环海滩质量指数（DL-BQI）实施的加泰罗尼亚海岸的扩展评估评估。这种开放性有助于我们了解加泰罗尼亚的哪些海滩管理叙事正在运作（哪些除外），它们在何种程度上得以开展以及DL-BQI提供决策信息的能力。数据收集可以评估加泰罗尼亚海岸的96个代表性海滩，这些海滩可能与其他地理位置对应。在一次多方利益相关者会议上，共同评估了用于评估的工具DL-BQI及其结果。一般而言，海滩的主要条件是为旅游和休闲提供要素。开展此类活动的方向通常会根据海滩类型而产生不同的压力，其中大多数会对海滩的生态资产和自然遗产产生负面影响。尽管以经济增长为主要内容，但事实证明它不足以解决复杂的沿海问题，即加剧生态恶化。另外，研究表明，对于区域沿海政策，将可持续性，环境保护和沿海地区综合管理的叙述或多或少地考虑将海滩作为自然系统的价值视为重要。