Hér að neðan má finna skýrslur sem Fishernet verkefnið hefur tekið saman um strandmenningu í á Norðurlöndunum. Hægt er að nálgast skýrslunnar á PDF formi.

Iceland
Although the number of Icelanders directly working in fishing is relatively small we still have fishing heritage and culture playing a major part in the cultural identity of the nation. The economic crisis following the downfall of the financial sector in 2008 seems to have resulted in an awakening and renewed interest in the value of fishing as an economic activity as well as in national fishing culture and heritage, given the fact that the nation owns its prosperity and welfare largely to the hard work and sacrifices offered by fishers and fish workers in the coastal communities. More people are viewing fishing heritage as part of authentic and truer roots of national culture, now that they have been harshly let down by irresponsible and greedy financial moguls who have gambled with and perhaps lost the economic welfare of Icelandic society. This rethinking of cultural roots is also manifested in the surge of interest and wide range of initiatives and projects connected to innovative museum and grassroot activities that focus on the culture and heritage of fishing and coastal communities in a creative and constructive manner.
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Denmark
The population of Denmark has always relied on what the sea can provide to various degrees. In fact, Denmark has nearly 800 years of fishing experience but fisheries have however, never played a dominant role in the country. There are a couple of small towns along the coast were fisheries have been important and is still of significant social importance. Danish fishermen have always been proud of being free "share fishermen" with some control over their own time and destiny. The prime time of Danish fishermen was during the period from 1880 - 1960 when fishermen had a free right to catch and own their boats while the boats in Europe where owned by limited joint stock companies. However, the situation of fishing in Denmark has changed since then. The European Union implemented some restrictions as Denmark has itself implemented a transferrable quota system which has led to fewer but larger vessels. Harbours and boats do not serve as important a role as it once did and regulations have changed allowing ship owners to sell or scrap their boats while still keeping their quotas. Fortunately, many people in Denmark are conscious of the importance of preserving the Danish fishing cultural heritage. Many institutions, organizations, museums and grassroots initiatives have been established around the country in order to preserve the culture and heritage of fishing and coastal communities in a creative and constructive manner.
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Download the report for Denmark

Greenland
Compared to Denmark, the commercial fisheries started rather late in Greenland but around the 1890´s commercial fisheries developed in Ilulissat. However, Greenlanders have always depended on the sea to some extent. For a long time, hunting was the main occupation in Greenland and fisheries were only supplementary to hunting. In the 1920´s warmer currents brought cod to Greenlandic waters while at the same time the stock of seal decreased. Through investment from Denmark the Greenlandic economy was constructed around cod fisheries. However, due to overfishing and cooler climate the stock of cod declined again and Greenlanders experienced another transition. The cod fisheries were replaced by a rise in shrimp fisheries. Around 1984, a five year plan was implemented shifting investments from cod to shrimp. Suddenly, the economy had refocused on shrimp fisheries which continue to be the at the core of Greenlandic economy.
The ecosystem around Greenland is very vulnerable, particularly in terms of higher sea temperature. In the ACIA science report, higher sea temperature in Greenland is predicted with potential shifts in animal migratory patterns. A shift in animal migratory patterns could entail considerable impacts on coastal communities putting pressure on their adaptive capacity. Therefore the preservation of cultural heritage is of considerable importance to the Greenlandic people. The knowledge, skills, lessons learned and the ability to adapt to changing conditions is important to preserve. The experience based knowledge of older generations could be the key for future generations to adapt to potential changes in the future.

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The Faroe Islands
Fisheries have played a large role in the Faroe Islands in the last 100 years and are strongly related to both social and economic development in the country. After abolishment of the trade monopoly, the Faroese people begun to construct their economy around fisheries which had specific impacts on society and culture. Interest in farming diminshed, men stayed longer out at sea and even birth patterns were altered. Today, fisheries are not quite as dominating as they once were but are nontheless still important in both social and economic terms.. Fisheries in Faroe Islands are strongly related to national indentity making the significance of the preservation of fishing cultural heritage greater. Public awareness of the importance of traditional culture and practices is strong and they have been very efficent in preserving old smacks which played an important role in overhauling the economy from one of farming to one of fishing. Institutions, museums and organizations have been established in the country fo the purpose of cultural preservation as well as that of heritage of fishing and coastal communities in a creative and constructive manner.
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Åland
Despite of its small size Åland offers a variety of attractions for people who are interested in fishing culture. The heritage of fishing and seafaring lives strongly in the area as these have played a significant role in its history and fishing still remains one of the important sources of livelihood. Most importantly the culture lives in the minds and hearts of the people living in Åland. It is a part of their lifestyle as they lead their everyday lives surrounded by seas.
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