EXPLORING SOCIAL AND CULTURAL DIMENSIONS OF FISHING IN THE ENGLISH CHANNEL (ACTION 6.2)

University of Greenwich:Dr Tim AcottDr Julie UrquhartFakhar KhalidLudovic Dupuis

• To explore the social and cultural impacts of marine fisheries on coastal communities

• Looking at the contribution and importance of marine fishing to: place identity, cultural heritage, sense of place and social capital.

• To inform the development of fisheries policy

Project Aims

• Most fisheries policy and research has centred around biological and economic objectives

• There is a lack of understanding of the socio- cultural impacts of fishing reforms and policies

• Policies that include social objectives are more likely to succeed in restoring fish stocks & a sustainable fishing sector

Why do we need social research?

“fishing is the glue  that holds the 

community  together”

Brookfield et al 2005

• Active fishing communities contribute to local social fabric, culture & image of an area & its use for marketing

• Possible social/cultural impacts of loss of fisheries include: outmigration, unemployment, loss of fishing identity / social cohesion / kinship ties, loss of cultural heritage, etc.

Why do we need social research?

Cornwall Tourist Board Image of Mevagissey

Newlyn

It’s not just about the fish!

Study Areas & Approach

Cornwall – Cadgwith, Coverack, Falmouth, Helford River, Marazion, Mousehole, Mullion Cove, Newlyn, Penberth, Poltesco, Porthallow, Porthleven, Porthoustock, St Ives, The Lizard, Mevagissey, East Portholland, St Mawes

Kent/Sussex – Faversham, Hastings, Ramsgate, Rye, Whitstable

Devon – Brixham, Dartmouth, Salcombe, Paignton

Dorset – Weymouth & Poole – forthcoming April 2010

Case Study selection in England:• Scoping visits• Inventory (with Action 9.2) – processing, fishermens’

organisations, tourism-related activities (e.g. Sightseeing trips), museums, festivals, fishing agencies (also NGOs, partnerships)

• Fishing vessel data – catch value & no. vessels• Landscape Character Assessment• Tourism representation – selected from Defra stats on

registered fishing vessels & catch data (every town in study area with registered fishing vessels)

Progress

PHYSICAL

ACTIVITIES

MEANINGS

Conceptual framework for understanding the socio / cultural impacts of marine fishing

•Fish•Architecture•Function of buildings•Public art, monuments, statues, plaques, murals, sculpture•External signage (information boards, pub signs, shop signs, shop names, menus)•Ruins and remains from the past•Food (menus, recipes, specialities)•Place decoration e.g. miscellaneous fishing clutter (nets, floats, chains, anchors)•Fishing Boats •Post cards and other souvenir items•Books, information leaflets, internal information boards, tourism information booklets•Newspaper articles and magazines•Place names•Internet

•Festivals•Music (Singing, song writing)•Art•Literature / tales•Education•Leisure•Eating

•This ‘intangible’ dimension is rooted in people’s outlook on marine fishing and will vary with individuals and stakeholders.

Key stakeholders include:•Fishermen•Teachers•Museums curators•Conservation groups•Tourism promoters•People directly involved with tourism (catering, accommodation, attractions)•Tourist

Our area of interest

P A

M

Fisheries, materiality and place identity - Boats

Pemberth

Rye

St Ives

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – Built environment

Mevagissey

Poltesco

Mevagiss ey

Rye

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – street decoration

PorthlevenHastings

Falmouth

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – fishing “clutter”

Ramsgate

Whitstable

Hastings

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – shop front and signage

Mousehole

Mevagissey

Mousehole

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – cafes/restaurants/pubs

Cadgwith

Dartmouth

Newlyn

Whitstable

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – Information boards

Falmouth

Hastings

WhitstableBrixham

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – monuments/sculpture

Newlyn

Hastings

Fisheries, materiality and place identity – Museums, trusts

Mevagissey

Hastings

Ramsgate

Fisheries, materiality and place identity - Printed texts and images

Guide Books

Fisheries, materiality and place identity: Printed texts and images

Postcards

Fisheries, art and place identityNewlyn School of

Painters

Between The Tides 1901

St Ives harbour

Cornish harbour 2006

Fisheries, tradition and place identity – singing and festivals

Organisations supporting fisheries

• For example:• Fisherman’s Mission• Industrial units• Port facilities etc

Cornwall

Newlyn

Cadgwith

Devon

Salcombe

Brixham

Kent/Sussex

Whitstable

Hastings

Tourism representation

UK Field work:• Kent/Sussex – June/July 2010• Cornwall – August 2010• Devon/Dorset – October/November 2010

France field work:• Scoping/design – February/March 2011• Field work – spring 2011

Next steps