LAUSR

The purpose of the article is to highlight the nature of the structural changes in fishing and fish farming in northern Norway and to explain how these changes are related to changes within family business. The article examines changes in the role of the household, the wider family, and gender in business through an analysis of qualitative studies conducted during a period of 20 years. Great changes in industrial conditions have had impacts on the organisation of the fishing- and fish-farming businesses, from privately owned small-scale household-based production to larger shareholding companies. The household is no longer the productive unit, with some exceptions in small-scale fishing. However, family ownership is still important in both industries, and the family influences decisions of the business in different ways. The changes in the organisation of business activities also have consequences for gender relations and women’s role both in fishing and fish farming. Women’s traditional role as flexible workers in household businesses is only maintained in smaller businesses that are run by ‘husband and wife’ as a team. However, women still contribute as advisers and supporters for their husbands fishing activities, but women are seldom direct owners of the boat. Exceptionally, women take part in fishing as registered fishers. In fish farming, women may act as professional partners, employees, owners, board members, or managers.