30 

 degree to which the norms of the community are so-called "modern 

 norms" ; and the assessment of risks and anticipated results 

 (Kiankel, 1976). 



If this information is applicable to the United States 

 we would expect some people to be able to adopt innovations in 

 the form of larger boats and sophisticated fishing equipment, 

 and to fish for new species to supply new markets. Others will 

 not. The questions are: How many people will be able to adopt 

 such innovations? Under which conditions? At what speed? The 

 number of social, cultural and economic factors involved in 

 answering such questions is enormous. 



Since technical innovation involves some different issues 

 than economic innovation (new markets, new species) , we will 

 discuss these issues separately. 



A. Technical Innovation 



In order to assess the ability of U.S. fishermen 

 to adopt nev/ technology in the form of new boats and fishing 

 gear, we need to answer three questions especially. 



First, what assets must men have to successfully adopt 

 new fishing technology and larger boats? 



Second, how many men in a particular area have the 

 requirements for a successful large scale fishing operation? 



Third, of the men who control all of the viability 

 requirements for a successful large boat operation, or can 

 easily acquire them, how many are actually interested and moti- 

 vated in investing in modern equipment? 



