Marine Research and Fisheries Management : Swedish Hydrographic Commission 1893–1901

Samuel Gutestrand Mandarić, Marine Research and Fisheries Management: Swedish Hydrographic Commission 1893–1901, Umeå University: Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious studies, Master thesis in History of Science and Ideas, 15 credits, Spring semester 2020.The aim of this thesis is to describe the development of the Swedish marine research from a scientific and institutional perspective. The time period studied begins with the establish-ment of the Swedish Hydrographic Commission in 1893 and ends with the government decision to develop the Swedish Hydrographic-Biologic Commission in 1901. The first motive with the thesis is to increase the understanding for the development of the Swedish hydrography as a field of knowledge and science. Additionaly, with the purpose of gaining insight as to how the hydrographic research was organized, to highlight scientific ideas and theories, as well as to account for the questions that aimed to be answered through the conducting of marine research. The second motive with the thesis is, from a societal perspective, to increase the knowledge in for the existing relations between hydrographic research and fisheries management. The purpose of this being to show the significance and influence given to the survey of fish stocks within the field of marine research, as well as to describe the role of scientific knowledge and rationality in the fisheries management.The empirical and theoretical approach of this thesis is based on scientific development being a result of the cooperation between parties both producing and using gained knowledge. Three analytical concepts have been used to unlock the principles of using and producing knowledge; co-production, boundary work and networking. These concepts bring forth different aspects of the studied relation and they are used heuristically, with focus mainly on specific historical events within the field of marine research.The results show that the Scandinavian marine research was developed in the inter-section between establishment of managing an enterprise, the transformation of the hydrographical and biological research, and increasing national and international research cooperations. Societal applications were the prime motive for government approved and financed marine research and its institutional internationalization. The scientific marine and fish stock surveys were part of a commercial and political program with aim to bring reformation to the fisheries. The marine surveys were considered necessary in order for rational fishing to be carried out and they were also important in the development of the fishing industry. The official decision to introduce fisheries management, together with the international council, enabled the establishment of marine research as a branch of know-ledge and research within the field of natural science