Strategies and flexibility in Finnish commercial fisheries

Strategies chosen by Finnish commercial fishermen in order to adapt to the changes and uncertainties in their occupation, and in society were analyzed by using a reclassification of the material obtained from the earlier interview-based survey. The data were collected by means of structured questionnaires and qualitative thematic interviews. The characteristics of the strategies and the transition between the groups were examined. The low profitability of fishing in monetary terms of, for instance, static fishing strategy and the withdrawers was interpreted through the high importance of the work itself and the values it offers for the fishermen. Most of the Finnish commercial fishermen depend on the availability of other incomes in addition to fishing revenues, which act as a `buffer' against fluctuations in the fishing revenues. The strategic response of the fishermen had expanded the activities of their enterprises in two main ways: investing in more efficient and larger vessels or forward integration closer to the needs of the consumers. Structural heterogeneity and differences in orientation and strategies form a challenge for the planning and management of commercial fisheries. In addition to the common way of categorizing the fishermen according to gear or fishing area, consideration of fishermen also as differently-oriented groups could help the decision makers to better assess the consequences of their actions.