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. 2022;50(2):209-225.
doi: 10.1007/s10745-022-00309-5. Epub 2022 Feb 14.

Alternative Conservation Paradigms and Ecological Knowledge of Small-Scale Artisanal Fishers in a Changing Marine Scenario in Argentina

Daniela M Truchet  1   2 , Belén M Noceti  3   4 , Diana M Villagran  5 , Rocío M Truchet  6
Affiliations

Alternative Conservation Paradigms and Ecological Knowledge of Small-Scale Artisanal Fishers in a Changing Marine Scenario in Argentina

Daniela M Truchet et al. Hum Ecol Interdiscip J. 2022.

Abstract

We studied conservation paradigms of small-scale artisanal fishers and other actors involved in the conservation of the Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE)-a Southwestern Atlantic estuary under anthropogenic pressures (conservationists, NGOs, individuals in the private sector and the port consortium). We focused on the relationship between fishers and non-human entities (e.g., animals, tides, lunar cycles, etc.) from alternative conservation paradigms according to Pálsson's schema (orientalism, paternalism, communalism). We also explored the ecological knowledge of fisher communities to identify possible conservation strategies. Using an ethnographic approach, we identified communalism as the dominant paradigm within the fisher communities as opposed to the paternalistic and orientalist approaches of conservationists and industry employees in the BBE. Fishers demonstrated a broad knowledge on the effects of climate change on fish stocks and pollution on ocean environments and biota, which gillnets avoid catching juveniles and threatened species, and landscape changes over the long-term period, among others areas that could be useful for conservation of these changing coastal ecosystems. We conclude that understanding local perspectives and practices is essential for a democratic exchange among different bodies of knowledge to conserve marine ecosystems.

Keywords: Argentina; Bahía blanca estuary; Conservation; Local ecological knowledge; Marine protected areas; Maritime governance; Socio-environmental conflicts.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe authors declare they have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a) Location of the Bahía Blanca estuary in Buenos Aires (Argentina, South America), b) Bahía Blanca estuary (BBE) showing in red the different fishers' ports: Puerto Cuatreros in General Daniel Cerri, Puerto Piojo in Ingeniero White, Puerto Alternativo Villa del Mar in Villa del Mar, and Puerto Rosales in the district of Coronel Rosales
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Fishers' ports: a) Puerto Cuatreros, b) Puerto Piojo, c) boats in an alternative port in Villa del Mar called by fishers “Puerto Alternativo Villa del Mar”
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Summary of the methodological decisions used in our research
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Venn diagram of fishers' conservation paradigms. N = 25 fishers
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Acquisition of ecological knowledge by fishers based on the mentions by N = 25 fishers
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Informant repairing his net by hand after an encounter with Otaria flavescens
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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