In October 2024, a report by Menon Economics on behalf of Finnmark County Council revealed that the Finnmark coast is in decline. The report points out that several municipalities might lose one in three inhabitants over the next ten years, if special measures are not taken.
A fishing boat on its way to Mehamn. In the worst case scenario, Gamvik municipality may experience 36 per cent of its residents disappearance over the next 10 years. Photo: Pascal Gertschen / Finnmark Fisk
Måsøy municipality is among those that come out worst. In 2024, there will be 1,113 people living in Måsøy. In 2035, there may be 712 residents.
Menon has now assessed 17 different measures, and concluded which measures the county should take to prevent population flight from the coastal municipalities.
Most of all, the company recommends strengthening the fresh fish scheme, reducing loan costs for the coastal fishing fleet and establishing an investment fund for tourism.
In addition, they believe that measures such as better organization of tourist fishing, a separate charter fund for air travel and government subsidies for housing construction can also have positive results.
According to Menon, all the measures are well suited to countering the population decline in Finnmark's coastal municipalities, the report states.
It is the extensive quota cuts on cod and the suspension of haddock fishing that have created the difficult situation along the coast. In 2025, the cod quota will again be reduced by 25 per cent. This is the lowest quota since 1991.
The first part of the report deals with three different scenarios to shed light on the possible course of development for the coastal municipalities over the next ten years:
Scenario 1: Prolonged drop in quota and successful conversion
Scenario 2: Prolonged drop in quotas without adjustment
Scenario 3: Short-term quota drop with temporary drop in income
The latest report will be considered next Monday in an extraordinary county committee meeting.
County mayor Hans-Jacob Bønå is clear that measures must be taken to combat a large population decline along the coast of Finnmark in the next ten years. Photo: Karoline Almås Sørensen / FFK
County mayor Hans-Jacob Bønå (H) tells NRK that it is essential that measures are taken to prevent the worst-case scenario.
There is much that is exciting and interesting here. There must be some drastic proposals that are pursued further, in order to try to prevent the coast from being depleted of resources at all.
He believes that some of the proposed measures are certainly realistic.
There is more or less consensus that this is incredibly important. You have to get it on the table and start discussing, and see if you can agree on something sensible.
Bønå does not dare to answer how quickly any measures can be rolled out.
Source: NRK
Read more on the topic: Krise langs Finnmarkskysten: Hver tredje innbygger kan flytte / NRK
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