Changing attitudes 1970-2012: Evolution of the Norwegian management framework to prevent overfishing and to secure long-term sustainability

Abstract

Fisheries have been important for livelihood in Norwegian coastal communities for centuries. The development of new fishing technology and increasing fishing capacity posed challenges for the sustainability of the fisheries. The Norwegian spring spawning herring was depleted in the1960s - with dire consequences. This event, and the subsequent efforts to rebuild the stock, was paramount to the gradual development of a coherent Norwegian policy to prevent overfishing and secure long-term sustainability. Nevertheless, overfishing continued during the ensuing transitional decades when a range of new management tools were developed and made effective. Internationally, the extension of the economic zones to 200 nautical miles, and agreement on sharing and management of joint stocks were important elements. At the national level, the development of measures to curb overcapacity, improvement of exploitation patterns through technical regulations, ban on discard and the evolution of procedures for rational decision-making for setting total allowable catches (TACs) on the basis of harvest control rules, were all decisive elements. Another crucial factor was the creation of a whole new profession of fishery inspection. We describe a system of close collaboration between specialists - scientists, fishery managers, and stakeholders - each with a distinct role in building a solid framework to prevent overfishing and secure long-term sustainability. © 2013 © 2013 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Published by Oxford University Press.