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Abstract:
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"In less than two decades the conditions of the Danish fisheries have changed from a situation where access to fish stocks was almost free to one of strict regulation and close monitoring of catches. The management practices have developed gradually, but with quota regulation as an important basic aspect. This has generated considerable resentment among fishermen. The reason is not just that it is unpleasant to have restrictions imposed on one's activity. There is a conflict between the premises of the management regime and the world views, strategies of action and forms of organisation of the fishermen. The basic logic of the management regime is that of a commonly accepted body of theory (bio-economic theory, common property theory) linked with a general modernist world view. This involves assumptions about the character of natural and social systems that are at odds with fishermen's view of naturej their conception of their own role and identity in relation to both nature and society, and their strategies of action. Predictability, lineal functions and equilibria have been axiomatic for the belief in output management. From fishermen's viewpoint quota management has widely been experienced as an affront to knowledge, practices and identity, all of which are in one way or another linked with the expectation of unpredictability and fluctuations with regard to natural conditions. This paper will explore and illustrate some points of conflict between fisheries regulation and fishermen."
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