The neoliberal reorganization of the Greenlandic coastal Greenland Halibut fishery in an era of climate and governance change

Greenlandic fisheries and fisheries governance are in the midst of change. The effects of climate change can be readily seen in glacier melt and differences in sea ice. Meanwhile, significant changes in fisheries governance are seen through the introduction of new management plans in which the trickle-down of neoliberal ideas are evident. The most recent and significant changes taking place currently are in the coastal Greenland Halibut fishery where restructuring is expected to provide additional revenue for the government. This article presents the 2012 Coastal Greenland Halibut Management Plan, explores the alterations made to plan regulations in 2014, and discusses the implications of the ongoing reform process. The changes being made to coastal Greenland Halibut fishery management highlight a difficult balancing act between the neoliberal reorganization of the fisheries and the sustainability of coastal society and culture. The article concludes that decisions on fisheries regulations will remain in flux as "business as usual," and confirms that the influence of the neoliberal discourse is increasing. Any inability of residents to adapt to climate-induced changes may result more from such policy constraints than from environmental change itself.