Towards sustainable vendace fisheries? Fishermen’s conceptions about fisheries management

The management and sustainability of commercial vendace fisheries in Finnish lakes were studied from the point of view of the fishermen. Their attitudes, problems and proposals for better arrangements were examined and the implications for the development of the fishery system were discussed. From the perspective of the fishermen, the main management problem is the lack of fishing opportunities due to the restrictive policy of the fishery associations. The fishermen feel they have been neglected by the local level of management and would rather rely on the state level and its district authorities. The attitudes towards ecological sustainability of vendace stocks varied widely. In many cases regulations were considered important in order to protect the fish resources. However, the fishermen also needed regulations to enhance socioeconomic sustainability. The commercial fishermen should be integrated more closely into the decision-making regime in order to reduce the likelihood of conflict.