The REFITOUR project objectives covers no less than three occupational sectors of relatively large importance for areas like Dingle, Ireland and Djursland, Denmark, namely the educational, the tourism and the fishery sectors. From the first visions and through to the implementation, each of the three sectors have been investigated in an attempt to identify the sector that would be essential for the successful implementation of a conversion from fishery into tourism related activities.

This chapter outlines activities of the project from the preparation phase of Summer 1996 up through the project implementation phase in Summer 1997. It should be understood that the distinction between the three sectors of education, tourism and fishing is only to demonstrate a progression in project development and understanding. Even though the three sectors have been emphasised differently, all three sectors have, throughout the project, been perceived as preconditional to the implementation of a conversion within the fishing industry.

Throughout the project, all three sectors have been represented and involved in the outlining and implementing of the objectives.. The first assembly of the steering committee was held on 14 October 1996. Subsequent meetings were held in 1997 on 28 January, 29 April, and 10 September to discuss the development and conclusions from the project. Apart from the formal steering committee a working group was established as a more informal forum for discussions (members of the steering committee and the working group are listed in Appendix I). During 1997 the working group met on 10 January, 17 January, 4 March, 8 April, 29 April, 20 May, and also met with the steering committee on 10 September. During the preparational phase, the group members were informed of the project adjustments via a newsletter.

In the original project proposal, the primary task is defined as "The development and implementation of a comprehensive education and training programme that will enable former and commercial fishermen to become involved in tourism-related activities." The subjects in the educational programme are suggested as follows: "Maritime biology, natural and cultural history of the seashores and the region, preservation of the environment, management and foreign languages." The emphasis on education is also clear from the budget: education and educational material is by far the largest post on the budget (ECU 204,000). In the first assembly of the steering committee, the regional educational institutions were both receptive and very interested in the project, and saw both educational and occupational potentials in the REFITOUR visions.

The educational focus in the project had solid support in the Sea and Coastal College, and the information aspect of the project played a central role throughout. The Sea and Coastal College aims at educating guides for the coastal zones. The REFITOUR project was integrated in the educational programme for the school, inspiring the content of the education, and offering an unique opportunity for the students to try their competences in communication and knowledge of the sea environemnt in practice. The sea tours offered during the project also held a large measure of education for the visitors. They learned more about the environment of the sea, the practicalities of being a fisherman, and the seasons and possible preparations of the fish.

Responses and reactions from the active fishermen on the project immediately proved that the education of fishermen as such - be they present or former fishermen - would need more preparation and diplomacy than the projects' time and expenses would allow. Thus, the educational aspect of the project played a major role, but in a more conventional educational programme than first outlined.

The main uncertainty identified in the original porposal was whether tourists would be interested in going out on fishing vessels. Therefore, the central precondition for the projects' success was to be defined by the tourists. In the suggestions offered by the Irish partner it is emphasised that "... it should always be remembered that the wants and needs of the tourist customer must take priority whenever they are on board." The marine tourism experiences listed by the Irish partners indicates that it is essential to provide the tourists with an interesting day, which can include both new knowledge and experiences. With tourists as the focal point, the project identified what experiences and knowledge the visitors could possibly take home with them from the fishermen and their vessels - and from the harbour as a unified whole.

The general objective of the project was to open up new possibilities for a diversification of the economy in regions dependent on fisheries, and in the Irish partners summary it is emphasised that the project will have to prove economically sensible if fishermen are to involve themselves with tourists in the future. Implicitly, the vision also held a possibility to test whether tourists were or could become interested in learning more about the areas they had chosen as their destination.

Focus stayed on the tourists throughout the project. Since they are the economic precondition for the conversion from fishing into tourism, they are the ones to be satisfied, and they are the common component within other fishing communities in most European countries.

The project was outlined to benefit the fishermen and the fishery under the present structural changes. The basic assumption was that the fishery in Denmark and Ireland - and perhaps in Europe as such - need input from other sectors to find durable economic activities for the people depending on the sector. Thus, the initial intention was to mobilise former fishermen and their vessels, and give them a new but still fishery related income. This was to be done in respect for the special knowledge and craftsmanship of the (former) fishermen.

During the preparational phase in 1997, the active fishermen proved to be rather sceptical about the project. Further, it was recognised inthefirst meetings with the working group and the steering committee that the project would need to take the active fishermen into account, and that it would have to be based on an integrated perception of fishermen’s attitudes and beliefs within the harbours wherefrom the tours would depart. This recognition was followed by several discussions, and finally resulted in a revision of the project proposal. It was realised that the active fishermen were the ultimate precondition for a successful conversion from fishery into tourism. The identity and attitude of the active fishermen in the harbours from where the tours would depart, would always and under all circumstances form part of the tourists impressions of their holiday excursion.

From the start it had been clearly stated that the fishermen needed to see economic sensibility in taking out tourists on their vessels. Therefore, it was also included that active fishermen needed to be actively involved in any conversion of their occupation. The REFITOUR project aimed at facilitating a positive encounter between the fishermens and the surrounding society. It was assumed that both consumers and fishermen could inform each other of their particular perceptions of fish and the fishery. Thus, the project included information about fish as a resource and as healthy food, and it underlined the existing willingness of these fishermen of creating a better understanding between fishermen and the society ashore. The project became "... an opportunity [for the fish trade] to demonstrate their occupation and their products to the consumer."

The information potential of the fishing vessels was outlined as follows:

"1.Fish as food:

c. The cultural history of fishing, types of gear and vessels"

Focus was still on satisfying tourists, trying to give them an extraordinary experience at sea, but at the same time the REFITOUR project made an attempt to give the fishermen an extraordinary experience as well.

The experience gained from adjusting the project demonstrates that in future projects of this kind that the active fishermen of the selected harbours are the ultimate precondition for a project like REFITOUR. It is clear that the fishing industry must be perceived as a living activity that deserves attention under present conditions, otherwise there is a danger that in the near future it will become an occupation that is unknown to the majority of the people, which could result in people eating too little fish, caring too little about their influence on the environment of the sea, and being unaware of lifestyles basically different from the urban life of Western Europe. Thus, the project vision can be of benefit, not only for the three sectors included, but for Europe at large.