Discontinuities in Priorities and Policies in the Development of a Regional Fishery in Scotland

The dilemmas of competing priorities in a development situation are examined in terms of the impact of a highly commercial lobster fishery on a small-scale traditional fishery in the outer Hebrides, Scotland. United Kingdom Government policy in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland is aime at retaining population in marginal areas, and do this end a considerable capital investment has been made in buildings up the Hebridean lobster fishery. These policy priorities, however, are unaccompanied by any policy of resource management or conversation. The presence of a highly commercial fishery in the area thus results not only in a depletion of the lobster stocks but endangers the long-term benefits of the initial Government investment. The different work cycles ans gross earnings of the two fisheries are compared and suggestions are made as to alternative policies that would ensure the future viability of the newly developed regional fishery.