Socio-economic dimensions

A key requisite to implement important project findings into real life fishery management and conservation is to gain knowledge and understanding on how key stakeholders assess the overall findings and recommendations from the project, especially the recommended “paradigm shift” in fish cultivation practices compared to current practices and established historic traditions. Further, it is necessary to evaluate the potential economic benefits of successful restoration and conservation of these iconic species to design economically efficient and socially acceptable programs. We will study how key stakeholders in fishery management, conservation, stocking and angling activities assess and make trade-offs between pros and cons of existing and new production techniques. Further, we will map and quantify the potential economic and social benefits (individual, social/cultural, and economic) of successful restoration and conservation of iconic species Atlantic salmon, European eel, and sturgeon at the level of local communities in Germany, France and Norway.