SUPPLY CHAIN SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS OF HERRING IN SWEDEN: Potential and Limitations of the Swedish Herring Industry

Abstract

As global concerns about food security are increasing, questions regarding the sustainability of the seafood industry move into focus. This study focuses on the herring industry in Sweden due to the prominent position of herring in the European fisheries and its economic and environmental impacts. The objective of this research is to assess the environmental sustainability of the Swedish herring industry and propose recommendations based on input from relevant stakeholders. The methodology involves conducting interviews with industry professionals along Sweden's west coast to understand their views on sustainability in the herring industry and how these views differ from the literature. Analysis of these interviews aims to disclose leading sustainability practices, evaluate their efficiency, and identify obstacles to their widespread adoption. Findings indicate that, although sustainable practices are commonly employed, major gaps persist in their implementation due to knowledge deficits, operational limitations, and financial constraints. At the same time, an accumulation of individual obstacles to measures is not directly linked to their potential for greater environmental sustainability. This shows that different parts of the supply chain face different challenges. These require both individual measures and a movement towards interdisciplinary and cross-stakeholder efforts. The article proposes various actionable measures to enhance the sustainability of the herring industry, with potential benefits for both the economy and the environment. These recommendations aim to assist herring industry stakeholders and governmental bodies in formulating a more sustainable herring fishing and utilization strategy, which could serve as a blueprint for addressing similar challenges in other seafood industries and fishing nations.