Abstract:
In the early 1990s, the crisis of the fishing industry resulted in both economic and human tragedies. Drawing conclusions
from the crisis the fishing fleets experienced at that time, some groups of producers started to think of better enhancement of
their production. Since then, they have tried to adapt their production to market demand. This has led them to set up quality
initiatives (Brittany Quality Sea food, Brittany headland anglers, etc…), thus promoting their savoir-faire, the freshness
certification, or the improvements in the quality of their products.
Based on two field surveys (185 fishing boat skipper-owners from Channel harbours - from Brest to Boulogne - for the first,
and 50 skippers working along the coasts of Brittany for the second were questioned), this paper first analyses how skippers
consider enhancement initiatives, and whether they wish to get involved in such programs. In the second part, based on a
cost-benefit analysis, we focus on the impact of these steps on the fishermen’s incomes. Finally, the paper studies the way
these approaches affect the fishing practices of these fleets i.e. the incentives thus created for them, in view to change their
fishing strategy: to which extent would a better valorisation of production could combine with increased income for
fishermen with better management of fisheries resources?
