Fisheries policy and economic development in Greenland in the 1980s

• Published in: Polar Record
• Main Author: Poole, Graham
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1990
• Subjects: General Earth and Planetary Sciences; Ecology; Geography, Planning and Development; Arctic; Greenland; greenlandic; Polar Record
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0032247400011153; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0032247400011153

Apstract This article describes the main characteristics of the Greenlandic economy in the 1980s and the aims of the country's Home Rule Government in regard to fisheries policy and economic development. The strategy adopted by the Home Rule Government is presented and evaluated, in terms both of economic theory and of results. Greenland's problems are similar to those of other developing countries, but intensified by its Arctic location, communications problems, a vulnerable resource base and harsh operating conditions inits fisheries, also by its colonial and post-colonial history which has fuelled aspirations towards a high standard of living and given rise to high import demands. Difficulties encountered point towards a modification of the aims and policies of the government, including adoption of a less ambitious approach, focusing upon satisfying basic social and economic needs, and avoiding the mistakes made by the Danish administration in the 1960s and 1970s, which led to alienation of segments of the population from the process of development.