ABSTRACT
On the basis of theories on the role of information, knowledge, trust and co-operation in economic processes, this chapter shows that opportunities for quality/value-added oriented innovation can be created when various parties in the chain co-operate in networks. It focuses on the importance of organising co-operation in the fish chain and develops some proposals to bring this about. Retail seems the most active in promoting change and innovation in the fish chain. The key developments in the fishing industry are a massive introduction and use of new technology and electronic equipment in navigation, catch searching, telecommunication and fishing gear. In Europe the changes of the market situation have not led to increased vertical integration for the fishing industry in terms of formal ownership. Fishermen’s organisations could play a more extensive role in adjusting the decision-making processes concerning the operations on a daily, weekly and monthly basis.
