Recruitment as a condition for value creation - impacts of fisheries restructuring and internationalization on fisheries employment networks

The coastal employment systems are changing. Traditionally, the employment system has been described as a close-knit network of fishermen, their families and the local communities composed of local processing industries, schools etc. Gradually these networks are changing. One core question has been whether these networks are being replaced by market mechanisms and whether recruitment takes place through new types of labour markets rather than local networks. Our findings indicate that both in 2007 and 2015 there was still a strong element of what we might call network recruitment to fishing through family, community, and professional networking. The networks are expanding outside the local communities. I both studies, few boat owners reported recruitment problems. This is also supported by the fact that few see the need to recruit foreign labour. In 2007 there were indications in the fisheries discourse that fisheries competed with supply/off-shore industry over labour. Today, this seems not to be the case. This is probably related to the ongoing restructuring in the oil, gas and off-shore supply industry. This study has also shown that Norwegian fishermen are optimistic about developments in the fishing industry in the coming five years and that a large majority are in favour of recommending working in the industry to others. All in all, these two studies reveal a positive outlook for Norwegian fisheries. However, substantial variety and diversity are important characteristics of the fishing sector. Traditionally, there has been a divide between coastal and off-shore fisheries. Our study suggests that opinions and attitudes on fishery policy among the two groups are converging.

This three year project targets part V in the call: The foundation for value creation (VERDI) and focuses on the second point: Socio-Economically Rational Harvesting. A well-functioning recruitment system and labour market is a necessary precondition for value creation and rational harvesting in the fisheries sector and for growth and positive development in coastal communities. Consequently, knowledge about how the fisheries employment systems are changing and impacts and are impacted by structural changes and labour migration is crucial for defining targeted policies for sustainable development of the sector. The project is carried out by the Norwegian College of Fishery Science, UiT- the Arctic University of Norway in collaboration with Centre of Rural Research and Sintef Fisheries and Aquaculture. The project will also collaborate with the "On the Move: Employment-related Geographical Mobility in the Canadian Context" project at memorial University of Newfoundland. The project consists of three WPs. WP1 is dealing with project coordination, administration, survey and outreach. WP 2 will based on an updated quantitative data set study changes in the Norwegian fisheries employment system in the period 2007-2015 and the relationship between the changes in recruitment systems and other changes in the fisheries. WP 3 will address the more overall questions about the relations between recruitment, fisheries and other marine industries. In addition to the Norwegian data, also data from Newfoundland will be used. It will explore the effects of the structural changes in the industry and in communities, as well as employment and recruitment strategies applied in this situation. WP 4 will address the developments in relation to what is defined as socio-economically rational harvest and suggest improvements to policy and policy measures, as well as industry and community strategies to ensure recruitment.