Implementing the SSF Guidelines in Sweden: An Investigation of Law and Policy from EU to Local Levels

• The SSF Guidelines seek to enhance the contribution of small-scale fisheries to food security and nutrition, improve their socioeconomic situation, achieve sustainable use and management of fisheries, and ensure that small-scale fisheries contribute to sustainable futures. The EU has voiced commitments to the SSF Guidelines, and EU Member State Sweden has been commended for its work abroad to advance them. This chapter investigates Sweden’s domestic arena, focusing on marine fisheries. We ask whether Sweden’s legal and policy framework – which extends from EU to local levels – is compatible with implementing key SSF Guidelines recommendations, namely, (1) securing small-scale fisheries’ tenure rights to fishery resources and awarding them preferential access to waters under national jurisdiction, (2) providing designated support to small-scale fisheries, and (3) involving small-scale fisheries in management through representation and consultation. Our research shows that EU laws and policies could be compatible with implementing these provisions. National legislation permits Sweden to take these steps, but national policies do not clearly advance them. By contrast, some local policies strongly promote small-scale fisheries. The question is whether local political pressure, combined with EU encouragement, can steer Sweden toward implementation of the SSF Guidelines.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Tvärvetenskapliga studier inom samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Social Sciences Interdisciplinary (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Sociologi -- Socialantropologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Sociology -- Social Anthropology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

multilevel governance

tenure rights

fishery access

designated support

fisheries management

representation and consultaiton

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kap (ämneskategori)