Page 28, Evaluations and Policy Explorations Small Versus Large-Scale Fishing Operations In The North Atlantic

• Main Authors: Ussif Rashid Sumaila, Yajie Liu, Peter Tyedmers
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Norway; North Atlantic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.618.4700; http://www.seaaroundus.org/report/impactpolicy/sumaila2.pdf

Abstract: This paper compares small and large-scale fishing operations in the North Atlantic, by examining key policy relevant variables such as (i) the number of fishers they employ, (ii) the proportion of total annual catch that is landed by the two groups, (iii) the value of the catch they land, and (iv) annual catch that goes to the reduction industry relative to its use for direct hu-man consumption. We gathered data from the litera-ture to analyze the performance of the two sectors for the Canadian and Norwegian fishing fleets. We then used these country case studies to make inferences on how these two sectors perform at the level of the North Atlantic. Results from the analysis indicate, among other things that, small-scale fisheries employ more people for the same landed value, and that more of their catch is used for direct human consumption than large-scale fisheries. In some countries large-scale op-erations were more profitable (e.g., Norway) but there were countries in which small-scale operations did bet-ter (e.g., France). All in all, this study indicates that small-scale fisheries are better positioned to meet sev-eral of the policy goals set by both national govern-ments and international organizations on the use of ocean resources.