Small-Scale Fisheries in Portugal: Current Situation, Challenges and Opportunities for the Future

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries play a major role in Europe, employing large numbers of people, shaping the socio-economic life of coastal communities, and providing fresh, high-quality seafood to local, regional, national and international markets. This chapter synthesises findings from the 25 country chapters in this volume, bringing together key lessons regarding the nature of European small-scale fisheries and their national contexts. It focuses on the socio-economic characteristics, governance arrangements, markets, interactions with other coastal activities, and the challenges encountered by small-scale fisheries. Finally, it reflects on the future of small-scale fisheries in Europe and concludes that, although this sector has faced hard times, there are now significant policy trends in its favour.