Stakeholders in Fisheries
Understanding who has a stake is important to knowing how fisheries and the seafood industry function.
Direct Stakeholders
Workers
Fishermen & women
They catch the fish
Processors
They process the fish
- Commercial fishing directly provides 40 million people with jobs around the world. More than 200 million others are indirectly employed.
- 1.2 million people in the United States are employed through the fishing industry.
Capital
Fishing Vessels
They transport the fishers. Boat owners are often also workers, but sometimes not.
Seafood Companies
They sell seafood products. They often own the boats and the processing facilities.
- There are 4.6 million fishing vessels in the world, ranging from small 2-person crews, to gigantic boats with several dozen crew. About 65% of vessels are motorized, while the other 35% are human or sail-powered.
- The industry is worth over $250 billion dollars to the US economy.
Also available in:
Food
Retail Outlets
Restaurants and grocery stores rely on fish for business.
Seafood Consumers
They eat the fish. Probably you, definitely me.
Other fishers
Recreational
Small-scale & subsistance
Indigenous
- Sometimes in conflict with commercial industry (and each other) over access, regulation, or stock status. Indigenous users’ rights may be infringed upon.
- Recreational fishing is a huge industry. Contributes $120 billion and 500,000 jobs in U.S.A.
Governance
Fishery Managers
Decision-makers that make and enforce regulations for commercial fisheries.
Fishery Scientists
They assess the status of fish stocks and make recommendations to managers.
- Management decisions are (hopefully) made based on scientific recommendations.
Indirect Stakeholders
Recreational Users
Boaters, divers, surfers, and sailors can be conflicted with the the seafood industry over crowding, use, access or regulation. Probably you, definitely me.
Conservationists
Want what is best for the planet. Sometimes this conflicts with the seafood industry, though often goals align with good management. Hopefully you, definitely me.
Oil & Gas
Mining Companies
- In conflict with seafood industry over space, access, or regulations. Actively worsen fisheries.
Animal Rights Activists
Believe harvesting fish for food is morally wrong and, generally, animals should not be eaten.
Shipping Industry
They ship and transport seafood products, but also compete with fisheries for use, space, crowding, and access.
Could belong to any number of stakeholder groups:
Politicians
All of the above stakeholders are constituents! Some of them have a lot of money to donate…
This post is part of Sustainable Seafood 101.
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