Beyond the Nature-Culture Frontier

In order to challenge the culture–nature dichotomy, this article investigates two festivities centered around fishing and consuming the sea urchin in two different locations: the Suape Bay Ouriçada (Brazil) in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Carry-le-Rouet Oursinade (France) in the Northern Hemisphere. This study employs both bibliographic and ethnographic research carried out at the two festivals over the last six years. The communities that originated these sea urchin festivals are both historically connected to artisanal fishing traditions that aim at creating bonds of sociability and connection with nature. While these festivities feature a wide variety of “things,” the one that stands out is the sea urchin itself. During these festivals, this species is taken by human hands from their habitat on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean or the Mediterranean Sea to become the main reason for celebration and sociability in two different communities. On the one hand, sea urchin festivals can be seen as the heritage of local immaterial culture and as a symbol of the struggle for environmental protection. On the other hand, they are both the victim and the perpetrator of environmental degradations that threaten the event’s survival. Although the communities in these two geographic locations devised very different celebratory rituals around the same marine creature, by comparing and contrasting the two festivities we can contend that, despite their specificities, these sea urchin festivals challenge the culture–nature dichotomy. In other words, it is precisely through food that the natural and cultural worlds can become one.

Socioeconomic Aspects and Characteristics of Artisanal Fishing in the Marchica Lagoon (Mediterranean, Morocco)

Marchica lagoon offers very favourable conditions for practice of artisanal fishing which is the main socioeconomic activity carried out in this coastal ecosystem. However, artisanal fishing there suffers from a lack of control and management due to the absence of a data collection system on the various biological and socioeconomic aspects of this fishery. Thus, it considers serious threaten their sustainability. The main purpose of the paper to give a comprehensive account of artisanal fishing and its socioeconomic aspects in the Marchica lagoon, through a survey carried out at five sites around the lagoon. It has been found that there a low level of education among fishermen. The fishermen practiced two gears, pound net and trammel net. The economical analysis showed that the total annual gross product per boat is about 15766,80 USD, which gives an average monthly income of about 1148, 10USD par boat. Therefore, the wealth produced by these fisheries have a real impact on the quality of the fishermen live. Hence, ensure sustainable development of this fishery.

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA PESCA E PERFIL DOS PESCADORES ARTESANAIS DO MUNICÍPIO DE CARUTAPERA, LITORAL OCIDENTAL MARANHENSE, BRASIL = CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ARTISANAL FISHERY AND PROFILE OF ARTISANAL FISHERMEN IN THE MUNICIPALITY CARUTAPERA, WESTERN COAST OF MARANHÃO, BRAZIL

No litoral ocidental maranhense a pesca apresenta grande relevância social e econômica. Neste artigo objetivou-se caracterizar a pesca artesanal do município de Carutapera (Maranhão, Brasil), realizando aplicações de 50 questionários, voltados ao entendimento sobre o perfil socioeconômico dos pescadores e pescadoras, das estruturas de pesca e da comercialização do pescado. Os resultados revelaram que 70% eram do gênero masculino com média de idade de 43 anos. No que concerne ao nível de escolaridade dos pescadores e pescadoras entrevistados, 36% relataram ter ensino fundamental completo, dos quais 28% iniciaram o ensino médio e não terminaram; e 36% possuíam apenas o ensino fundamental incompleto. O índice de analfabetos foi de apenas 2%. A pesca era praticada com exclusividade por 52% deles, enquanto outros exerciam atividades como: construção civil (27%), conserto de redes de pesca (13%), agricultura (6%) e carpintaria (2%). Em relação à naturalidade, 60% eram naturais do estado do Maranhão e 40% do estado do Pará. O apetrecho de pesca mais utilizado nas capturas foi a rede de emalhar (24%) e os menos utilizados a zangaria (2%) e a faca (2%), esse último usado principalmente para a remoção de ostras. Quanto ao tipo de embarcação, a maioria dos pescadores e pescadoras artesanais faziam uso de canoas motorizadas e barcos de pequeno porte a motor, com comprimento variando de 8 metros a 11 metros. Entre as espécies mais capturadas está a pescada amarela (Cynoscion acoupa), espécie que tem um alto valor comercial, porém outras como a cururuca (Micropogonias furnieri) e peixe-pedra (Genyatremus luteus) são espécies capturadas durante todo o ano com boa produção. Um dos grandes problemas relatados é a falta de estrutura organizacional, evidenciando o descaso que se encontra a pesca artesanal no município.AbstractIn western coast of Maranhão, fishing has great social and economic relevance. In this article, aimed to characterize the artisanal fishing in the municipality of Carutapera (Maranhão, Brazil), using 50 questionnaires to understand the socioeconomic profile of fishermen and fisherwomen, fishing structures and fish trade. The results showed that 70% where male with an average age of 43 years. Regarding education level, 36% reported having completed elementary school, of which 28% started high school but did not complete it; and 36% had only incomplete primary education. The illiteracy rate was 2%. Fishing was practiced exclusively by 52% of them, while others had activities such as: civil construction (27%), repairing fishing nets (13%), agriculture (6%) and carpentry (2%). Regarding naturalness, 60% were from Maranhão state and 40% were from Pará state. The most used fishing tackle in the catches was the gill net (24%) and the least used were the zangraria (2%) and the knife (2%), the latter mainly used for the removal of oysters. Regarding type of vessel, most fishermen and fisherwomen used motorized canoes and small motor boats, with a length ranging from 8 meters to 11 meters. Among the most caught species is acoupa weakfish (Cynoscion acoupa), a species that has a high commercial value, but others such as whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and torroto grunt (Genyatremus luteus) are species captured throughout the year with suitable production. One of the major problems reported is the lack of organizational structure, showing the neglect of artisanal fishing in the municipality.

ASPECTOS DA COMERCIALIZAÇÃO DE PESCADO NA FEIRA MUNICIPAL DE CORURIPE – ALAGOAS

ASPECTS OF FISH COMMERCIALIZATION IN THE MUNICIPAL FAIR OF CORURIPE – ALAGOASASPECTOS DE LA COMERCIALIZACIÓN DEL PESCADO EN LA FERIA MUNICIPAL DE CORURIPE – ALAGOASRESUMOA comercialização de pescados nos pequenos municípios da região Nordeste está historicamente associada às feiras livres. Nesse cenário, o presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar a comercialização de pescados na feira livre de Coruripe (AL) por meio de visitas de campos e questionários semiestruturados que avaliaram os feirantes, os produtos comercializados e os aspectos higiênico-sanitários dos postos de venda. De um total de 1.152 boxes disponíveis na feira, foram contabilizados 70 ocupados pela venda de pescados. Os dados indicaram que os comerciantes apresentam, em sua maioria, o seguinte perfil: são mulheres, têm idade entre 40 e 59 anos, possuem baixa escolaridade, trabalham na atividade há mais de 20 anos e têm na feira sua principal fonte de renda. A partir das entrevistas, evidenciou-se que a ocupação de feirante está intrinsecamente vinculada com a cultura das comunidades pesqueiras locais. Quanto ao comércio, uma ampla variedade de espécies, sobretudo marinhas, é negociada (peixes, crustáceos, moluscos). A conservação do pescado é simples, geralmente com gelo, e o beneficiamento é realizado no momento da compra.Palavras-chave: Feiras Livres; Pesca Artesanal; Cadeia Produtiva do Pescado.ABSTRACTThe sale of fish in small municipalities in the Northeast region is historically associated with open markets. In this scenario, the present work aimed to characterize the commercialization of fish in the open market in Coruripe (AL) through field visits and semi-structured questionnaires that evaluated the marketers, the products sold, and the hygienic-sanitary aspects of the points of sale. From a total of 1,152 boxes available at the fair, 70 were occupied by the sale of fish. The data indicated that most merchants have the following profile: they are women, aged between 40 and 59 years, have low education, work in the activity for over 20 years, and have their main source of income at the fair. Based on the interviews, it became clear that the occupation of market stalls is intrinsically linked to the culture of local fishing communities. As for trade, a wide variety of species, especially marine ones, are traded (fish, crustaceans, mollusks). Fish conservation is simple, usually with ice, and processing is carried out at the time of purchase.Keywords: Free Fairs; Artisanal Fishing; Fish Production Chain.RESUMENLa comercialización de pescado en los pequeños pueblos de la región Nordeste se basa históricamente en los mercados libres. En este escenario, el presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo caracterizar la comercialización de pescado en el mercado libre de Coruripe (AL) a través de visitas de campo y cuestionarios semiestructurados que evaluaban a los comercializadores, los productos vendidos y los aspectos higiénico-sanitarios de los puntos de venta. De un total de 1.152 cajas disponibles en la feria, 70 fueron ocupadas por la venta de pescado. Los datos indicaron que la mayoría de comerciantes tienen el siguiente perfil: son mujeres, tienen entre 40 y 59 años, tienen baja educación, trabajan en la actividad desde hace más de 20 años y tienen su principal fuente de ingresos en la feria. A partir de las entrevistas, quedó claro que la ocupación de puestos de mercado está intrínsecamente vinculada a la cultura de las comunidades pesqueras locales. En cuanto al comercio, se comercializan una amplia variedad de especies, especialmente marinas (peces, crustáceos, moluscos). La conservación del pescado es sencilla, generalmente con hielo, y el procesamiento se realiza en el momento de la compra.Palabras clave: Ferias Gratuitas; Pesca Artesanal; Cadena de Producción Pesquera.

Artisanal Fishing in the Yucatan Peninsula. A Brief Approach to Fisheries. Resources, Capture and State of Exploitation

La presnete obra, es el resultado de uno de los com- ponentes de un proyecto multidisciplinario e inte- rinstitucional titulado “Caracterización de la Pesca Arte- sanal en la Península de Yucatán: Identificando Unidades de Manejo”, financiado por el conacyt (Fondo sep-cona- cyt-Clave 252215), el cual nos permitió acércanos a la pesca artesanal desde varios ángulos considerando los recursos, los usuarios, y sus problemáticas. El trabajo en equipo con investigadores de varias disci- plinas y estudiantes de posgrado y licenciatura del cinves- tav-ipn Unidad Mérida, umdi Sisal-unam y del Instituto epomex-uac, y múltiples estudiantes de Servicio Social y Prácticas Profesionales, rindió frutos. Este es un esfuer- zo de tres años de trabajo, y si bien tratamos de integrar la mayor información disponible a la mano, en sistemas dinámicos como la pesca, queda aún mucho por conocer, entender y problemáticas por abordar. Esperamos que esta obra contribuya a aumentar el co- nocimiento de las pesquerías artesanales en la península de Yucatán, y también que sirva para atraer la vista hacia estas importantes pesquerías que requieren cada vez más atención y nuevos enfoques de evaluación y de manejo.

Commercial species of artisanal fishing in the Yucatan Peninsula

La pesca es la única actividad del sector productivo primario donde no hay incentivos para incrementar la capacidad de producción, esto es, se depende de la capacidad natural de producción de las poblaciones silvestres. Esto significa que hay un límite para la producción, y por lo mismo riesgos de agotamiento si no hay controles. Esto es lo que hace necesario delinear esquemas de ordenamiento orientados a la sostenibilidad no solo de la producción sino socioeconómica, entendiendo siempre que la gestión está orientada en beneficio del usuario, incluida la conservación. Uno de los principales problemas de la pesca artesanal es la falta de información, y por lo tanto de conocimiento, para soportar científicamente el ordenamiento y la toma de decisiones. Es también evidente que muy pocas de las especies objetivo de la pesca artesanal son de alto valor económico; y menos aún, el sostén de una actividad a nivel industrial. Las razones de esto último son variadas pero tal vez la principal sea la riqueza específica propia de nuestros ecosistemas; lo cual, desde el punto de vista industrial, significa una materia prima altamente heterogénea. Estas condiciones conducen a un bajo financiamiento de la ciencia aplicada a generar el conocimiento necesario. Este es un fenómeno de escala mundial dada la naturaleza de la actividad, pero se reconoce la importancia de abordar esta problemática por la gran cantidad de personas que dependen directa e indirectamente de la pesca artesanal. Actualmente la ciencia pesquera ha mostrado gran preocupación e interés en esta condición evidenciado por la gran cantidad de investigación generada hacia la última década definida como evaluación del estado de los recursos pesqueros en condiciones de limitada disponibilidad de datos e información. Esto es, dado que son típicamente recursos donde no hay monitoreo consistente y se genera muy poca información biológico-pesquera, la ciencia está intentando abordar la generación de conocimiento robusto y consistente para soportar el ordenamiento con la poca información disponible. Este último aspecto es donde surge la importancia de la presente obra sobre “Especies Comerciales de la Pesca Artesanal en la península de Yucatán”, contribuye que la brecha sobre la limitación o ausencia de datos hacia el conocimiento de los recursos pesqueros se reduzca considerablemente. Cabe destacar en este sentido que los datos aportados en cada ficha son la base para la aplicación de muchos de los métodos para estimar parámetros e información necesaria para el análisis de la dinámica de poblaciones y evaluación de las pesquerías; lo cual, en conjunto con el contenido de información en cada ficha, permitirá, en un futuro próximo, tener una muy buena idea del estado de explotación de los recursos pesqueros de la Península de Yucatán, y generar pautas informadas para el ordenamiento de la pesca. Felicito a Julia, Miguel Ángel, Silvia, Jorge y Domingo por esta iniciativa y, como mencioné en un inicio, por el grupo de trabajo que han conformado, no sólo por su capacidad científica, sino porque contagian su entusiasmo, pasión y forma de colaboración a terceros. Seguramente esta conjunción de situaciones motivará un mayor número de contribuciones para beneficio del sector pesquero y la academia.

2030 agenda and its considerations in the framework of artisanal fishing cooperatives in Mexico

Objective: To analyze the objectives proposed by the UN, linking them in a theoretical and practical way with the real condition of artisanal fishing cooperatives in Mexico, contrasting the theoretical scope of the 2030 Agenda vs. the real praxis of the communities of artisanal fishermen. Design / Methodology / Approach: Through the application of a Participatory Rapid Appraisal Workshop (PRAW) points of the Agenda 2030 were discussed with three artisanal fishing communities in Mexico. The participants learned in a theoretical way the objectives presented by the UN; selected those that in their opinion are important and punctual parts of their fishing activity; and then analyzed these objectives comparing them with their practical daily reality. Results: Conclusions and clarifications were obtained from the social subjects in which it was recognized as a general argument that for the Mexican artisanal fishing cooperatives framework the objectives of the 2030 Agenda are possible as long as the action strategy promotes a cooperative culture with community values and social bonds; respect for their environment and way of life; as well as the sustainability of the ocean as their means of work. Limitations / Implications of the study: the main implication noticed was the enormous importance that exists towards delivering theoretical considerations from international organizations and decision makers, to the social base who operates these proposals. These spaces create discussions that allow the theoretical analysis of practical needs which is mandatory in the social sciences. Findings / Conclusions: The neoliberal globalized economic system is the main disagreement for the 2030 Agenda. The 2030 Agenda encourages developed countries to support under-developed countries with knowledge, technology and investments to achieve sustainability. However, the Agenda does not recognize local knowledge, use forms and customs in those developing countries, as effective operational alternatives.