Abstract
The socio-cultural values associated with fish and fisheries affect the utilization and management of fish resources. However, these values often remain implicit in fisheries governance. This paper suggests addressing values explicitly to enhance the legitimacy of governance. We analyzed the values related to Baltic salmon and herring in Finland and Estonia, based on stakeholder interviews. By identifying similarities and differences between the values associated with two species in two countries, this paper demonstrates the multivalued nature of fish and fisheries. Based on our analysis, we recommend explicit and systematic inclusion of values in the early stages of governance processes to ensure morally reasoned management and use of fish resources.
Highlights
The way in which fish resources are utilized and managed reflects the socio-cultural values associated with fish and fisheries
Socio-cultural values related to Baltic salmon in Finland and Estonia
The other groups, including environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), recreational fishers and people living along the salmon rivers, argued that management has become more balanced and just than earlier: “For a long time, commercial fishing at sea was a top priority for the ministry and it didn’t take into account whether some other parties had right to the natural resource
Summary
The way in which fish resources are utilized and managed reflects the socio-cultural values associated with fish and fisheries. Governance implies choosing between or reconciling multiple and sometimes conflicting values (De Young et al, 2008; Ives and Kendall, 2014; Kooiman and Jentoft, 2009). Values influence the design of institutions and decision-making procedures (Kooiman and Jentoft, 2009). Some values seem to be more actively discussed and promoted in fisheries governance than others. The less discussed values may be important for stakeholders, and ignoring them may reduce the social acceptability of management activities (Ives and Kendall, 2014). Addressing the whole range of values could reinforce the knowledge base of management and enhance the legitimacy of decisions (Linke and Jentoft, 2014; Samhouri et al, 2014)
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