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The UK thinks its fishing industry is important but Norway knows its fishing industry is important. This is not a surprise. The influence of the industry is no
by altacc 5y ago
The UK thinks its fishing industry is important but Norway knows its fishing industry is important.
This is not a surprise. The influence of the industry is not to be underestimated in either country but in the UK it's a small industry with a lot of emotional baggage, especially for those supporting Brexit as it's linked to the idea of territory, even though much fishing is outside of UK waters. In Norway it's a major industry, they're one of the biggest exporters in the world and it forms a large part of the country's income. There was no way that Norwegian politicians were ever going to do anything that upset the industry. Brexit was a big win for Norwegian fisheries in a zero sum game.
- piva00 5y agoAs much emotional baggage fishing has for the UK, I believe there are much deeper cultural roots in Norway tied to fishing. I always remember a Norwegian ad, the 200 kr banknote displays a picture of a cod and Norges Bank made a really funny music video for its introduction [0]. The cultural roots in a much smaller population than the UK makes fishing not only a major industry but a big part of Norway's history and culture, I'm very sure the UK being an island has the same long history on fishing, I just don't feel it's so deeply rooted into the British national identity as it is in Norway. [0] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2CKHH_KKGE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2CKHH_KKGE
- altacc 5y agoYes, indeed. Having lived in both countries, the fishing & farming industries are much more protected & respected in Norway than the UK. To me it seems that part of Norwegians' story about themselves is that not so long ago they were a country of farmers & fishermen, then they found oil. They're reveling in the oil wealth but still protect the farmers & fishermen.
- alfiedotwtf 5y agoFrom what I've read, the UK fishing industry was outside UK waters, to export fish to the EU. Talk about own-goal.