Adaptive capacity of fishing companies facing spatial competition with offshore wind farms: insights from scallop fishers in Normandy (France)

Hélène Buchholzer (), Célya Martial (), Marjolaine Frésard () and Pascal Le Floc'H ()
Additional contact information
Hélène Buchholzer: UBO EPE - Université de Brest, AMURE - Aménagement des Usages des Ressources et des Espaces marins et littoraux - Centre de droit et d'économie de la mer - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer - UBO EPE - Université de Brest - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Célya Martial: INSTITUT AGRO Agrocampus Ouest - Institut Agro - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement, AMURE - Aménagement des Usages des Ressources et des Espaces marins et littoraux - Centre de droit et d'économie de la mer - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer - UBO EPE - Université de Brest - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Marjolaine Frésard: AMURE - Aménagement des Usages des Ressources et des Espaces marins et littoraux - Centre de droit et d'économie de la mer - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer - UBO EPE - Université de Brest - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UBO EPE - Université de Brest
Pascal Le Floc'H: UBO EPE - Université de Brest, AMURE - Aménagement des Usages des Ressources et des Espaces marins et littoraux - Centre de droit et d'économie de la mer - IRD - Institut de Recherche pour le Développement - IFREMER - Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer - UBO EPE - Université de Brest - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

Post-Print from HAL

Abstract: Understanding how fishing companies adapt to spatial changes related to the development of offshore wind farms is crucial for predicting the future evolution of coastal social-ecological systems. We discuss a theoretical adaptive capacity index, developed within a capital-based framework, using empirical data from the Normandy scallop fishery (France). Qualitative fieldwork, including semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations, is integrated to test the indicators of the index. From the eight initial theoretical indicators, three were validated, four were modified, one was excluded, and three new ones were incorporated in response to local demands, contextual factors, and perceived relevance. Indicators, such as gear and species diversity, years of experience, and access to financial resources, are consistent with existing research. Other indicators, such as intra-fleet communications, ties with professional organizations, and family membership emerged from local narratives. Two additional indicators, vessel maintenance and the size of fishing areas, are often overlooked in adaptive capacity frameworks. However, fishers consider them essential, especially in the face of increasing competition for space linked to the development of offshore wind farms. In conclusion, we emphasize the need to incorporate better local perceptions into adaptive capacity assessment frameworks. This study enhances our understanding of the diverse determinants shaping fishers'adaptive capacity in the context of spatial changes associated with offshore wind farm development.

Keywords: indicators; local perceptions; offshore wind farm; space competition; fishing companies; capital-based framework; adaptive capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Published in Ecology and Society, 2026, 31 (3), pp.art5. ⟨10.5751/ES-17105-310305⟩

There are no downloads for this item, see the EconPapers FAQ for hints about obtaining it.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05739013

DOI: 10.5751/ES-17105-310305

Access Statistics for this paper

More papers in Post-Print from HAL
Bibliographic data for series maintained by CCSD ().