The project contributes to fulfilling: Tying the region together
Sub programme: Kattegat/Skagerrak
Lead Partner: Gothenburg University
Norwegian Project owner: Institute of Marine Research
Partners: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet - DTU Aqua, Ministeriet för Fødevarer, Landbrug och Fiskeri,
Danmarks Fiskeriforening, Fiskeridirektoratet, Fiskelaget Sør, Fiskeriverket
Project Period: 1 July 2010 - 30 June 2013
Total Budget: 1 840 004 EUR
EU Grant: 438 731 EUR
Norwegian IR Grant: 381 000 EUR
Project Coordinator: Dr. Halvor Knutsen
E-mail: halvor.knutsen@imr.no
Phone: +47 37 05 90 50
Website: www.skagerrak-reker.eu
Shrimp fishery is the economically most important fishery in the Kattegat/Skagerrak region, with first hand sales at the level of roughly 500 mill SEK yearly. Skagerrak is the core area for the fishery, with activity extending also into northern Kattegat. The fishing fleet in Sweden and Norway consists of many small boats, while the Danish fleet uses larger vessels. The fishery is vital in creating the unique vivid culture and environment along the coastline surrounding Skagerrak and Kattegat. For many inhabitants of and tourists to this region, shrimps served in the harbor or in the back yard represent an unique cultural experience. Thus, shrimps have a socio-economic value that extends well beyond its direct economic value.
A sustainable use of this important resource depends on knowledge-based cooperation among the countries in the KASK region. Today, knowledge remains scattered and is partly lacking. In particular, we presently do not know if there is a single or several shrimp populations inhabiting the Skagerrak and Kattegat. Such knowledge is vital for management, as separate populations are demographically disconnected and need to be managed separately. For example, overfishing in one part of the region may deplete a local population, which then will depend on rescue from neighboring ones in other parts of the region.
This project aimed at developing improved communication among fishermen, local managers and researchers in all three countries. It believed that creating an improved communication for the shrimp fishery may also benefit other fisheries in this region and have a lasting effect beyond this project. On the basis of this communication platform, the project aimed at developing new relevant knowledge on assessment and population structure in shrimp. It collected existing, but fragmented, knowledge and incorporate this with new knowledge gained from this project. By merging “new” and “old” knowledge, it aimed at providing improved management plans for the sustainable use of this unique regional resource.
