Kystfisket

Kystfisket refers to nearshore or coastal fishing carried out by small-scale fishermen along the coastline. It typically operates in shallow waters close to land and uses a limited set of gear and vessels, often family-owned, with shorter trips than offshore commercial fishing. The focus is on local markets, selectivity, and seasonality rather than large-volume harvests.

Common gear includes handlines, nets such as gillnets or trap nets, pots and traps, and small vessels suitable for short trips. Catches are multi-species and depend on season and location, including cod, plaice, sole, haddock, herring, mackerel, shrimp, crab and lobster. The mix of species reflects local ecosystems and the temporal availability of stocks; landings are typically sold fresh through local outlets or processed for regional markets.

Regulation and management are set within national fisheries frameworks, including licensing, catch quotas, minimum landing sizes, gear restrictions, seasonal closures, and protected areas. Some regions use rights-based approaches that allocate opportunities to individual fishers or communities, while others rely on open-access elements. Compliance, reporting, and traceability are common requirements.

Economic and social aspects: kystfisket provides income and employment for coastal households, supports local processing and services, and contributes to cultural heritage. It is often more vulnerable to weather, price volatility, and regulatory changes than larger-scale fleets, and may face competition from offshore or industrial fisheries. Community organizations can coordinate gear sharing, information, and conservation efforts.

Environmental and sustainability considerations: efforts focus on reducing bycatch and habitat disturbance, improving gear selectivity, protecting nursery areas, and maintaining stock health through monitoring and adaptive management.