Abstract
The centrality of the skipper to the economic and social organization of fishing is based on the assumption that he plays an important role in fishing success. This crucial assumption has recently been hotly debated in the social science literature in various contexts. In this study an attempt is made to estimate the role of the skipper in fishing success. The study is based on data from the Icelandic summer herring fishery from the years 1959, 1960 and 1961. The analysis of the data shows a correlation ranging from .59 to .70 for the skippers' catches between fishing seasons. When relevant variables—size of boat and time spent fishing—are controlled for, correlation for skippers' catches between seasons remains high (Beta = .52 and .53). Further, analysis of case histories of individual skippers and other qualitative evidence support the view that the skipper plays a central role in fishing success. Finally, results are discussed in the context of current social science debate around the folk belief in the skipper effect.
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