Local attitudes towards management measures for the co-existence of seals and coastal fishery - A Swedish case study

• Marine mammals and coastal fisheries are two features commonly associated with thriving marine environments, but it is also a case of wildlife impact on human interests. This paper analyses the seal-fisheries encounter in a Swedish Baltic Sea fishery. The problem concerns seals eating fish from the fishing gear which causes considerable economic losses to small-scale fishermen. This mixed-method study addresses local attitudes towards management measures that might be introduced. A questionnaire was sent to all households in three traditional fishing villages and interviews were conducted with local stakeholders. The results show a consensus that something needs to be done or the local fishery cannot continue. Economic compensation for lost catches is viewed as a short-term strategy, while investment subsidies for seal-proof gear are considered positive but problematic due to low efficiency of the new gear. The management measure viewed as most positive in the local context is hunting. In general, a more active management is perceived as urgent for the survival of the small-scale coastal fishery in the studied area.

Ämnesord

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Lantbruksvetenskap, skogsbruk och fiske -- Fisk- och akvakulturforskning (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries -- Fish and Aquacultural Science (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Nationalekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Economics (hsv//eng)

LANTBRUKSVETENSKAPER  -- Annan lantbruksvetenskap -- Vilt- och fiskeförvaltning (hsv//swe)

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES  -- Other Agricultural Sciences -- Fish and Wildlife Management (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Attitudes

Baltic sea

Co-existence

Fisheries

Human-wildlife conflict

Marine mammals

Seals

Publikations- och innehållstyp

art (ämneskategori)

ref (ämneskategori)