Stakeholder Engagement in the Diversification of Arctic Blue Economy Communities

The session aimed to focus on stakeholder inclusion in decision-making and public investment strategies for blue economy communities seeking to diversify from fisheries.

Diversification away from commercial and/or subsistence fisheries in Arctic Blue Economy Communities may take many forms, including a wide range of tourism, resource extraction, and marine infrastructure investments.

In some cases, this diversification requires changes in resource management, such as greater regulation and/or monitoring and enforcement of recreational fishing activities. This in turn may require greater scientific and community input to determine priorities and communal gains. In other cases, community branding and reputation may depend on cooperative actions, including public investment in e.g. aquaculture, cruise tourism facilities and supporting enterprises.

Outcome goal from discussion:

List of concrete community actions, with identification of the parties who should take leadership over these actions, to facilitate successful Arctic Blue Economy Community public investment decisions. Success is identified as including both co-determination of community priorities and ways to cooperate toward achieving those priorities.

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