Fish in the Face of Climate Change: A ten-year analysis of fisheries conflicts in the Barents Sea

Abstract

Climate change is shifting fisheries and opening up new routes. Such a phenomenon has the potential to contribute to conflict between users. The Barents Sea region of the Arctic possesses both significant fish resources and vulnerability to conflict and climate change. Using published methodology documenting fisheries conflicts, this project analyzes fisheries conflicts in the Barents Sea by reviewing news articles obtained through the Nexis Uni database. Out of a total of 7,499 articles identified for the period 2013-2022, 22 unique fisheries dispute events and 54 fisheries dispute aggregates were identified in the region. We found that major conflict drivers include illegal fishing, ground limitations, foreign fishers, weak governance, and marginalization. We also found that the majority of conflicts in the region involved disputes between the Norwegian and Russian authorities, fishers, activists, and the oil industry.