Obstacles to Developing Recreational Fishing Enterprises in Sweden

The Swedish government has a stated objective of developing the recreational fishing industry, not least with respect to employment opportunities in rural areas. This paper analyzes the possibilities for governmental policies to enhance the development. After asking companies what obstacles they view as problematic for running their business, four challenges are analyzed; lack of fish, lack of large fish, exclusive access to fishing waters, and marketing. The analysis identifies the company characteristics that are associated with viewing the obstacles as large problems. The companies that tend to view the lack of fish and large fish as more problematic than others have some of these characteristics: guides, salmon fishing in fresh water, marine fishery and being located close to a large city. Exclusive access is a larger obstacle for guides, large companies and companies in northern Sweden. Marketing is more problematic for food and accommodation companies and newly started companies.