The Norwegian coastal employment system: What It Was and What It Is

Abstract

Norwegian fisheries have undergone tremendous changes, due to tech- nological developments and the introduction of resource management. In addi- tion, societal changes and in particular the introduction of formal requirements and the formalization of training and education, have also greatly affected the fishing fleet. Jentoft and Wadel (1984) described the Coastal Employment System. This system was characterized by mutual dependency among actors, flexibility of the system and mobility of labour, and primary socialization. The question we ask is therefore: have the above mentioned changes affected the employment and recruitment patterns in the fishing fleet? If so, what do they look like today? And is the concept of the Coastal Employment System still relevant?