The incorporation of fisheries in development strategies and programmes of the transition economies of Eastern Europe and the Confederation of the Independent States

The impact of transition upon the fisheries sector in Eastern Europe and the Confederation of Independent States has received little critical inquiry compared to agriculture. Although marginal in some economies, fisheries are not necessarily inconsequential: fisheries are estimated to have contributed about 0.4% of Ukrainian GDP in 2003 (Eurofish), 0.7-1% in the Russian Federation (FAO 2004c), and 1.5% in Latvia (European Commission 2004a). However, the contribution to GDP often understates the sector’s economic and social significance. For example, although Lithuania’s fisheries only contribute some 0.1% of GDP, they account for 15% of total agricultural output (European Commission 2004b). Furthermore, fisheries are often regionally and locally significant, providing employment and incomes in the periphery where alternatives may be limited.