Aquaculture is perceived as one of the greatest threats by fishers in Northern Norway. Many fear that local fisheries could disappear for good.

A recently published study based on responses from 360 local fishers reveals growing concerns about the future of coastal fisheries. Participants were asked to identify the three biggest challenges facing fisheries today and 30 years from now.

Competition for marine space and resources topped the list. The challenge most frequently mentioned within this category was aquaculture.

Conflicts over coastal space and environmental impacts

– Fishers point to aquaculture as a source of conflicts over coastal space and as a contributor to environmental impacts. They also believe that the industry's economic influence leads to an imbalance of power in coastal areas, says Sigrid Engen, researcher at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) and lead author of the study.

The concerns relate to issues such as pollution, physical displacement of fishing activities, and negative impacts on marine resources.

Aquaculture was mentioned almost as frequently as a future challenge as it was as a current one.

Competition Within the Fishing Industry

Competition among fishers was another major concern, particularly regarding quota allocation and access to fishing grounds. Respondents also highlighted tensions between larger and smaller vessels.
Other industries were identified as both current and future challenges, including tourism, oil and gas, wind power, recreational fishing, and the space industry.

Access to Landing Facilities Is Crucial

Fishers also expressed concern about the loss of fish landing and processing facilities. Without nearby facilities, the distance between fishing grounds and landing sites can become too far.

– Small-scale fishing vessels play a vital role in coastal communities. They depend on small-scale processing facilities located close to fishing grounds, and vice versa. If these facilities disappear, owners of smaller vessels may be forced to sell their boats or relocate, Engen explains.

The study further shows that a lack of recruitment and outmigration are expected to become even greater challenges in the future. Several respondents fear that certain coastal communities may have few or no active fishers left in 30 years.

Rising costs and centralisation

Fishers are also concerned about increasing operating costs, particularly the high prices associated with acquiring fishing quotas.

Many respondents feel they lack support and attention from the authorities responsible for managing fisheries resources. Local fishers perceive that aquaculture companies and large foreign-owned corporations have significant influence, while too few decisions are made locally. According to the study, this undermines one of the core objectives of Norwegian fisheries policy: maintaining active fishing communities along the coast.

– It is clear that the fishers who participated in the survey are concerned about outmigration and increasing centralisation in the future,” says Engen.

First large-scale survey of its kind

The survey is the first large-scale study of its kind in Norway. Nearly 4,000 fishers were invited to participate.

Engen believes it is important to explore how fishers’ knowledge and perspectives can be better integrated into decision-making processes.

– Fishers are experts on fisheries. Their concerns must therefore be taken seriously. For example, their concerns regarding the use of coastal areas deserve greater attention, she says.

Facts
In 2021, 3,878 fishers from 81 coastal municipalities in Northern Norway were invited to participate in a text-message survey.
A total of 705 fishers responded.
Of these, 360 answered questions specifically concerning challenges facing local fisheries.
In 2019, Norway had approximately 11,000 registered fishers and 6,000 fishing vessels.
Troms, Finnmark, and Nordland are the counties with the highest numbers of fishers.