Europe is one of the most important markets for fish and European companies gain access to resources by buying fishing licences in foreign waters and by illegal fishing, e.g. off West Africa. Global redistribution is threatening people's livelihoods on many coasts and displacing traditional small-scale fishing, especially in developing countries - but also in the heart of Europe. As a result, less gets caught in the nets of the local people.
Thorup Strand is a little village in the northern part of Denmark. All fishermen belong to the Thorup Strand Coastal Fishermen's Guild. "We have everything except the fish. And now we are fighting fo our future because a new enemy has shown up: indutrial fishing by beam trawlers..." A Film by Klaus Thymann
Open access to marine resources has led to massive overfishing of the marine ecosystem also on the south coast of Kenya. Particularly affected is the coastal coral reef and the lagoon formed by this and the beach. Lack of organizational structures and institutional barriers limit the possibilities for introducing sustainable fisheries and resource management.