The pay systems for commercial fishers in Nordic fisheries

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2022-515/

This work maps out the pay systems used in the fisheries' sectors of Denmark, Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland and Norway. Based on pay information, the evolution of pay and the distribution of resource rents among participating groups are analysed. 

The main findings suggest that Nordic commercial fishers are well paid compared to other occupations. As more efficient fisheries management regimes are introduced fishers remaining in the sector have been able to substantially increase their salaries. Likewise, as fisheries management have evolved so has the rents captured by fishers, vessel owners, quota owners and the public. Calculations show that the introduction of ITQ like management systems have contributed substantially to societal welfare across the Nordic countries.