Cod Ranching in the Westfjords
On Wednesday January 30, Graham Gaines will present his master's thesis, in Coastal and Marine Management, titled Cod Ranching in the Westfjords: A Political, Social and Spatial Analysis. The presentation is open to the public and will be done via Skype. It begins at 15:00 in room 1-2 in the University Centre of the Westfjords.
The thesis advisors are Björn Björnsson, a specialist at the Marine Research Institute and Gunnar Páll Eydal, an environmental specialist and instructor at the CMM master's program at the University Centre. The external reader is Þórólfur Matthíasson, Professor of Economics at the University of Iceland.
In his project Graham Gaines explores the two following research questions: 1. What existing legislation and policies must be considered and applied for cod ranching to become a feasible commercial activity? 2. Considering social and economic factors, where is the most viable location in the Westfjords for a cod ranching operation? For further information about the project please read the following abstract.
Abstract
This research aims to identify the legal, political, and social contexts necessary for the successful implementation of cod ranching projects in the Westfjords of Iceland. With the technical components tested and economic viability shown, cod ranching has been slow to develop mainly due to social and political obstacles. One such obstacle concerns the allocation of a large area of a fjord to an exclusive user, which could potentially displace fishing effort. Interviews with government agency personnel, municipal representatives, and fishermen are conducted and analyzed to determine the necessary measures to be taken for cod ranching to become recognized as a legal, socially responsible method of harvesting wild cod. Spatial and statistical analyses based on historical catch data is conducted to determine potential ranching sites which can restrict commercial fishing without causing significant fishing displacement. The results of this study will serve as a cornerstone in the overall feasibility analysis of cod ranching and will provide researchers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders with valuable information on whether to, how to, and where to attempt a cod ranching project.
The thesis advisors are Björn Björnsson, a specialist at the Marine Research Institute and Gunnar Páll Eydal, an environmental specialist and instructor at the CMM master's program at the University Centre. The external reader is Þórólfur Matthíasson, Professor of Economics at the University of Iceland.
In his project Graham Gaines explores the two following research questions: 1. What existing legislation and policies must be considered and applied for cod ranching to become a feasible commercial activity? 2. Considering social and economic factors, where is the most viable location in the Westfjords for a cod ranching operation? For further information about the project please read the following abstract.
Abstract
This research aims to identify the legal, political, and social contexts necessary for the successful implementation of cod ranching projects in the Westfjords of Iceland. With the technical components tested and economic viability shown, cod ranching has been slow to develop mainly due to social and political obstacles. One such obstacle concerns the allocation of a large area of a fjord to an exclusive user, which could potentially displace fishing effort. Interviews with government agency personnel, municipal representatives, and fishermen are conducted and analyzed to determine the necessary measures to be taken for cod ranching to become recognized as a legal, socially responsible method of harvesting wild cod. Spatial and statistical analyses based on historical catch data is conducted to determine potential ranching sites which can restrict commercial fishing without causing significant fishing displacement. The results of this study will serve as a cornerstone in the overall feasibility analysis of cod ranching and will provide researchers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders with valuable information on whether to, how to, and where to attempt a cod ranching project.
