small-scale fisheries: analyzing the conservation methods and laws implemented in baja california,...
TRANSCRIPT
Small-Scale Fisheries: Analyzing the
conservation methods and laws implemented in Baja California,
Mexico
Jessica Hernandez
Baja California, Mexico
Mexico’s northwestern peninsula
High ecotourism
The location of many tribes such as the Pai Pai and Kiwila, but currently is the major location for the Cucapa tribe.
Cucupa tribe and the inhabitants of the region depend on marine resources- small-scale fisheries
Small-Scale Fisheries
Fishermen- personal income and food source for their families and tribes
Alleviate poverty and serve as a food security
Utilize traditional practices and methods that do not involve technological devices or machinery
Small boat or vessels
Geographical History
Coastal tribes and individuals who live near the oceans have depended on small-scale fisheries for years
Miniscule economic impact on the country
Mexican government did not enforce laws in small-scale fisheries
2007- Marine scientists determined with evidence that they posed a threat to the accidental capture of endangered species
After 2007- Marine conservationists have been targeting small-scale fisheries
Environmental Factors
Eco-tourism
Urbanization to meet the needs of tourism
Overfishing done by large-scale fisheries
El Nino and natural hazards that affect the fish populations
Conservation
Small-scale fisheries is sustainable-does not contribute to overfishing.
Bycatch of endagered species like turtles, birds, etc is the only conservation problem caused by fishermen.
More sustainable practices that eliminate bycatch
Ecotourism- economic growth so not much has been done to address this issue.
More fishing laws implemented and enforced by the government
Environmental Economists- workshops for fishermen
Political Ecology
Global political ecology- involvement of other countries in the Mexican government and conservation towards small-scale fisheries (Peet)
Separation of nature and society- for many years the individuals who depend on the oceans have been able to balance fishing and the fish populations (Robbins)
Example of positive human interaction
Petro-Violence oceans face (Watts)
Eco-tourism =capitalist approach (Marx)
Conservation and Development
Ecological Democracy
Fishermen have the right to advocate laws they do not agree with
Organizations hold meetings for the fishermen to voice their opinions
Fishermen and their communities have not been relocated
Their natural resource is not exploited to yield higher profits
Large-scale fisheries pay higher taxes- fair
Assumptions
Maternal tribe depends on small-scale fisheries
Father- as a child was a fisherman-sustained his family
Example of outsiders coming to try to help but being oppressive
United States conservationists corrupting the Mexican government
Making it easier to relocate fishermen so seafood corporations take over
Not being an ecological democracy
Conclusion
Helps the fishermen and their people maintain their food and income source
Economic growth for them as well as the country
Helps avoid accidently trapping endangered species that were not meant to capture
Environmental Economic help provided
Inspired by the conservation work done towards small-scale fisheries
Concrete example that indigenous and scientific knowledge can work together-this conclusion led to my current work
-Motivated me to establish my own non-profit = Kaknab (Ocean)