Attitudes and opinions of commercial fishermen on whitefish management in the Gulf of Bothnia, Finland |
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Authors: | A. Huhmarniemi J. Salmi |
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Affiliation: | Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Kalajoki, Finland;, Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, Pori, Finland |
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Abstract: | Abstract Catches of anadromous whitefish in the Gulf of Bothnia have declined since theearly 1990s. It is generally assumed that the cause is overfishing. The professional fishermeninterviewed in the present study were united in the opinion that it is necessary to set limits onthe fishing of whitefish, but had differing views about the means of achieving this. Thesedifferent arguments involved separate whitefish stocks, various types of gear and differentmotives for fishing. Most of the professional fishermen accepted a minimum mesh size for gillnets. Other means proposed included setting limits on non-professional fishing and sales ofcatches. There were conflicting attitudes about seasonal restrictions because their experienceswith fishing restrictions for salmon had been negative. On the whole, decision-making requiresmore regional information on whitefish stocks and fishing, but also on the social and economicflexibility of fishermen. |
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Keywords: | Finland local knowledge management professional fishermen regulation whitefish. |
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