During the 4th International Congress of Maritime History in Corfu (Greece), July 2004, an idea was fostered to create a global network focusing on fisheries history. Subsequently a group of historians and economists decided to take initiative in order to bring researchers working in this area closer together and make it possible to exchange results on a truly global scale.

The aim of the GFHN is to provide a pivotal point for professional academics all over the world, devoted to scientific work on the history of the fisheries. To see this aim fulfilled the network provides a directory allowing for the exchange of results and new ideas or simply to stay acquainted with current research trends. In addition to the directory the network publishes a quarterly newsletter containing information on conferences, new books and other relevant information on the history of the fisheries.

The GFHN centers on the period from the fourteenth-century to the twenty-first-century and covers a wide range of aspects relating to the human harvest of the fish resource. The main categories are stipulated as follows:

1. Economic, social and political aspects
2. Environmental and biological aspects
3. Technological aspects
4. Intellectual and ideological aspects.

The network is steered by a committee consisting of both experienced and new researchers to provide a dynamic network atmosphere in which thoughts and ideas might flow freely and globally. Following these lines the committee has representatives from Asia, South America, Australia, North America and Europe. The first contacts within the committee and within the network have indicated the general interest in some short-term goals. These are, among others, to have a conference session on the history of the global fisheries within the next two to three years. Furthermore it is a declared goal to strive for a publication or a series of publications dealing with the topics covered by the network. Some of these goals might be pursued with the already existing expertise within the North Atlantic Fisheries History Association (NAFHA). Regarding these plans and other ongoing activities more information can be found via the links in the bottom of the page. Here it also possible to join online or to take a print of the form to fill in.

The website of the network is hosted by the Centre for Maritime and Regional Studies located in Esbjerg, Denmark. The website is regularly updated with new additions and fresh details as these become available.


Coordinator
Global Fisheries History Network

Morten Karnøe Søndergaard
March 2005

For information on the GFHN or the directory please email me at:
mks@fimus.dk