Fishing villages fearing seals

The current presence of three species of seals along the Baltic coast; the grey seal (Halichoerus grupys), the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) and the ringed seal (Pusa hispida) is a result of successful conservation management.... [ view full abstract ]

The current presence of three species of seals along the Baltic coast; the grey seal (Halichoerus grupys), the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) and the ringed seal (Pusa hispida) is a result of successful conservation management. However, seals cause severe economic losses to small-scale fisheries and are considered to threaten traditional fishing communities and thereby cultural values, tourism, and employment opportunities. Based on theory of emotional appraisal this study investigates the local populations’ appraisal of the situation in three fishing villages along the coast and provides an in-depth understanding of the fishermen’s concerns. A questionnaire survey (N = 357) assessing appraisal of relevance and implication of the current situation show that there is a strong and unanimous view that the small-scale fisheries is important to all of the three villages, but the appraisal of the seal as threat to the fisheries significantly differs between the villages (one-way ANOVA, F(2, 332)= 3.76, p = 0.02). The strongest fears are expressed among residents in the village highly profiled by professional fishery. These fears also reflect those expressed in in-depth interviews with five fishermen based in the harbours of the same villages. The fishermen appraise the current situation as very threatening to small-scale fisheries, but also to the local heritage and their personal life-style. Their anxiety is reinforced by a lack of trust national authorities. It is concluded that there is urgent need for strong and effective policy and management strategies. These should be adapted to both local social and ecological contexts of coastal areas.