The Transition From Small-Scale to Large-Scale Industry

The transition in fisheries from small-scale to large-scale industry has traditionally evolved in the technically advanced countries over a period covering several generations. The present sophisticated, capital-intensive, highly mechanized fishing industry of Western Europe is a good example of this process.However, the developing countries of today are not content to wait through the evolutionary period. They want to establish a modern fishing industry — all aspects from catching the fish to processing and consumption — in the shortest time. Some have done so, at least in part, despite difficulties such as lack of trained personnel at all levels, lack of or inadequate infrastructure and marketing and distribution systems, inadequate capital resources, and so on.The author examines the main problems and challenges of the situation and provides various proposals and guidelines for such rapid development. He points out that the characteristic artisanal fisheries of the developing countries cannot be so transformed into modernized fisheries. They need a separate, slowly developing program for their upgrading. However, they are likely to be stimulated by and benefit from the establishment of a modern capital-intensive industry with which they must coexist. In particular, the artisanal fishermen should benefit from expansion of markets, introduction of new processing facilities, improvements in infrastructure, establishment of higher standards in handling, storage, and processing of fish, perhaps even by injection of capital and being given a specific share of the new industry, such as supplying it with high-priced prime fish, etc.