Measuring fishing dependency using Occupational Alternative Ratio- an application to Shetland whitefish industry

In this paper Occupational Alternative Ratios (OAR) are applied to the 2003 employment survey data from Shetland to measure dependency on whitefish in individual communities as an alternative to traditional measures of fishing dependency, such as fishing employment and fisheries contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The OAR measure summarises the potential impact that the size of the whitefish industry has upon the supply of labour for alternative occupations within the local economy. The results of the model indicate that Whalsay is the most whitefish dependent community, followed by Scalloway and Skerries while the least whitefish dependent community is West Mainland. The OAR indices depict a clear distinction between the most and least dependent communities, and historical attachment to demersal fishing support these differences. The use of OARs to measure and rank dependency provides a new way to conceptualise the significance of fishing to communities and their economies. The results of the study also show that the OAR route to measuring fisheries dependency could be useful for policy makers and managers to make informed decisions, formulate appropriate policies on resource use and contribute effectively to wider processes (e.g. international negotiations of fisheries resources).