4.1 Marine and river fishing tourism in the Nordic region
The report addresses the economic, cultural, and sustainability dimensions of marine and river fishing tourism in the Nordic region, focusing on Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The study is based on existing research, official statistics, and newly collected data from national authorities, research institutions, organisations and enterprises. In addition, case studies were carried out to highlight regional particularities from Súðavík in Iceland, Lofoten in Norway, Mörrum in Sweden, and Lapland in Finland.
The findings demonstrate that recreational fishing plays a substantial economic and social role across the Nordic region, contributing to employment, tourism revenues, cultural heritage, and social welfare, albeit with marked national differences. In Iceland and Sweden, fishing tourism is oriented towards high-income markets, particularly salmon angling, generating high per-fish economic returns and supporting rural communities. In Norway, marine fishing tourism has expanded rapidly alongside strong commercial fisheries, especially in Northern Norway, intensifying competition for coastal cod stocks and increasing regulatory complexity. In Finland, participation in recreational fishing is among the highest in Europe and is characterised by broad domestic engagement and significant welfare value. However, the sector is vulnerable to ecological fluctuations and regulatory decisions, as illustrated by the salmon fishing ban on the River Teno.
Across all four countries, recreational fishing represents a significant economic resource, ranging from high-end market revenues to large-scale welfare and regional development effects. Related services such as accommodation, guiding, restaurants, and equipment supply account for a large share of value added and employment. Consumer surplus estimates indicate that the social value of recreational fishing exceeds what is captured in conventional economic statistics. Sustainability emerges as the central challenge, with pressures from aquaculture, declining fish stocks, and climate-related impacts underscoring the need for adaptive governance.
4.2 Recommendations
Based on the insights from the report, the steering group proposes:
Consider the establishment of a working group with representatives from the Nordic countries to promote marine and river fishing tourism in the Nordic region and facilitate the transfer of successful practices.
The steering group further proposes that collaboration on marine and river fishing tourism could be explored with the Nordic tourism working group under EK-Vekst, since the industry is highly dependent on the wider tourism industry.