Marine tourism fisheries - Challenges of governance and governability Northern Norway as a case study

Abstract

The research focus for this dissertation is marine tourism fisheries – a sector rapidly growing in popularity in Northern Norway. Data from this research study suggest that the ecological impacts may be more significant than previously thought. As such, it is suggested that marine tourism fisheries be considered separately from recreational fishing, and alongside commercial-scale and small-scale fisheries with regard to fish stock impacts and management. The overarching research question being answered with this dissertation is: What are the critical components of a governance strategy that would support a sustainable path of development for marine tourism fisheries in Norway? To answer this question, a case study analysis was conducted of marine angling tourism (MAT) in Northern Norway — a popular form of consumptive wildlife tourism in the Arctic fjords. MAT offers great potential to contribute to regional development of the remote coastal regions of Norway; but it is generating conflict, primarily as the result of tourists’ non-compliance with Norway’s regulations. This dissertation explores in depth why the fish as a natural resource cannot be managed separately, but must be managed with consideration of MAT as a complex socio-ecological system. Sustainable tourism development for this form of consumptive wildlife tourism requires that a management strategy find balance between prioritizing the mitigation of multi-stakeholder conflicts; providing sufficient ecological data to protect vulnerable fish stocks; and enhancing the tourist experience such that tourists will return and recommend. In order to determine how such balance might be achieved, the governance and governability of MAT in Norway are examined — breaking down governance into smaller, more workable segments. The theoretical models chosen as the lenses through which to explore and interpret the complex relationships within MAT as a socio-ecological system were drawn from the principles of interactive governance theory, and institutional theory applied to common pool resources. Elements from Iceland’s system of governance for MAT are used to highlight areas of consideration for inclusion in a modified governance strategy in Norway (Articles 1 and 3). Article 2 quantitatively examines tourist behaviour with regard to non-compliance, and the implications for natural resource management. Article 3 presents a modified model for analysing institutional inter-dynamics of a complex socio-ecological system that includes four institutional pillars. Among the critical components of a governance strategy that would support a sustainable path of development are included: creating regulations that match how MAT functions in practice; activating the tourists’ participatory role to collect vital catch statistics in support of ecosystem-based management; consideration of the communities as stakeholders; and improving conflict mitigation mechanisms. With greater understanding of how MAT functions, comes the possibility of finding solutions for how to more effectively govern marine tourism fisheries in Norway.