Abstract

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.

Keywords

Seals; Fisheries; Human-wildlife conflict; Co-existence; Attitudes; Marine mammals; Baltic sea

Published in

Marine Policy
2020, volume: 118, article number: 104018
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Authors' information