Paper short abstract:

This paper intends to highlight the need for research integrating vessels, equipment, individuals, skills, communities, economies, and the landscape, both from heritage content, the qualities and values it might represent in present society, and strategies and methods for managing this heritage.

Paper long abstract:

The maritime heritage describes a diverse area of phenomena, properties and qualities, ranging from objects and activities related to everything from single vessels to the coastal built environments, including the landscapes of land and sea.

During the herring periods on the Swedish west coast at the turn of the century 1800 as well as at the end of the 19th century, the fishing was often operated from shore or through vessels following local construction and design traditions. Apart from increased fishing, the activities also formed a sufficient economic base for establishing more stable communities. During the 20th century with the development of fishing boats into a general international design similar for vessels of Northern Europe, the coastal communities became more diverse with economic activities of different sorts, e.g. shipyards, canneries, community service outfits, etc., the dependence remained however on the base economy of fishing. This context has undergone abrupt changes during the last four decades, with highly modern vessels for operating fishing engaging a minority of the coastal population, turning the communities to development challenges with decreasing and aging population.

This maritime heritage represents the industrial society through its diverse objects, and as a socio-economical system of different activities, as well as the experiences and knowledge of individuals. This paper intends to highlight the need for research integrating vessels, equipment, individuals, skills, communities, economies, and the landscape, both from heritage content, the qualities and values it might represent in present society, and strategies and methods for managing this heritage.