Defining scale in fisheries: Small versus large-scale fishing operations in the Azores

The Azorean fishing fleet, as most fisheries worldwide, is characterised by a dualism in the form of co-existence of small and large-scale operations competing for the same limited resources, fishing grounds and markets. The two sectors are different, not only in the scale of operation but also in the level of technology, employment generation and the degree of capital intensity and investment. For years scholars have been battling over defining scale in fisheries but still no clear or universal definition of small-scale fisheries exists, nor the boundary where the one sector ends and the other begins. In this study, a method that is comparable between and across national/regional fishing fleets was used to define small and large-scale fishing operations in the Azores. The two sectors were compared in a number of policy-relevant parameters in order to better understand their socio-economic importance, issues that are fundamental for the development of future policies that are based on a more holistic and ecosystem approach to fisheries management. According to the methodology, the Azorean small-scale fishing sector is comprised all vessels up to 12 m in length, and still dominated by small, old, wooden vessels of low power, similar to other Mediterranean or less developed European fishing fleets, such as in Greece, Estonia and Corsica. Nonetheless, results indicate that the small-scale sector in the Azores has actually increased in importance over the years, both in terms of landed volume and value. Small-scale fisheries employ more people, land slightly more catch and achieve a higher landed value per tonne than their larger counterparts. They are also less fuel intensive and appear to be less harmful to stocks and their habitats.

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► We define small and large-scale fishing operations in the Azores.
► The two sectors are compared in a number of policy-relevant socio-economic parameters.
► Small-scale sector performed better than its larger counterpart in most parameters.
► Small-scale fisheries appear more socially, economically and environmentally equitable.