Small-Scale Fisheries in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Small-scale fisheries play a major role in Europe, employing large num- bers of people, shaping the socio-economic life of coastal communities, and provid- ing 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, gover- nance arrangements, markets, interactions with other coastal activities, and the chal- lenges 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.