A SEAFOOD ANALYSIS IN THE ATLANTIC AREA: CONTRIBUTIONS FROM IRELAND, PORTUGAL, SCOTLAND AND SPAIN

Abstract

The results of HARVEST Atlantic project highlighted the crucial role that innovation and human capital play in the maritime economy and in the regional development. The goal of the project was to identify good practices and sustainable solutions based on innovation in order to improve the socioeconomic situation of the Atlantic seaside territories of four countries of European Atlantic coast: Portugal, Spain, Scotland and Ireland. The analysis is based on the HARVEST Atlantic survey, applied in the period 2011-2012, with 243 enterprises of maritime sector. By identifying the best practices in the maritime economy sub-sectors it intends to strengthen the sector through increased productivity, competitiveness and job creation. The article is focused in the specific results of companies in the seafood providing policy implications for this sector.