The loss of fishing territories in coastal areas: the case of seabob-shrimp small-scale fisheries in São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Knowledge of the difficulties, costs, and territorial issues surrounding fishing communities seems crucial to achieve sustainable development goals in marine and coastal zones. However, such knowledge is not always available, sufficient, or even identifiable. The seabob-shrimp small-scale fisheries in the shallow waters of the State of São Paulo, in Southeastern Brazil, plays an important role in coastal livelihoods, providing social and economic benefits for a number of local communities and a premium source of regional seafood. Around 4000 fish-workers produce supplies for restaurants, fishmongers and supermarkets in coastal towns with about 2 million inhabitants. Nevertheless, harbor and naval mooring, the construction of pipelines, sewage disposal, controversial seasonal closures, and marine spatial zoning have all restricted the activity. A territorial approach is here proposed to examine the timeline of vertically implemented laws/regulations that may have resulted in a decrease of territories formerly available to that fisheries, accompanied by a comprehensive outlook of the overall policy context. The shrinkage of fishing territories has been evidenced and the kind of territorial loss detected does not seem to be implicit in cost analysis of fisheries, ecosystem services, or compensation. Top-down policies and a misunderstanding of environmental mitigation programs appear to have been contributing to increasing conflicts, mining multi-stakeholder processes and social justice in contrast to the ascendant economic growth of both the oil and gas and port industries. While economic and political pressures seem to shape current fishing territories, the recognition of the diversity of interests and power asymmetries in coastal zones directs our attention to a vital, often ignored, dimension of social reality. Institutional challenges and recommendations, such as territorial use rights and legal innovations are discussed, adding value to the self-organization of local communities for an effective process of balanced power both within and outside legal marine protected areas.

Innovation Management and Port Governance

“…The work by Moura and Andrade (2018) was carried out at the port of Santos and focuses on innovations (technologies and methods) to improve environmental performance with the reduction of polluting gases and other environmental priorities. Gasalla and Gandini (2016) discuss the impacts of various activities, including port activities, on fishing activities in coastal areas in the State of São Paulo and possible social innovations in the legal field and public policies to better organize coastal activity and management, however, it does not provide contributions to port governance.In the research developed by Gonçalves, Fidelman, Turra and Young (2020), in general terms, it deals with the dynamic relationship between different institutions that make up the São Paulo Macro-Metropolitan Region, demonstrating the complex and necessary relationship between the different institutions that make up the system, including those responsible for maritime transport. Governance is characterized by being multilevel and involving federal, state, regional and local agents.…”

Impactos na Lagoa de Araruama e percepção ambiental da comunidade da Praia do Siqueira, Cabo Frio (RJ)

“…Em estudo realizado na zona costeira do estado de São Paulo com comunidades de pescadores que utilizam a pesca em pequena escala do camarão sete-barbas (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) observou-se perda progressiva de territórios de pesca para expansão de outras atividades antrópicas (Portuária, naval, tubulações de petróleo, esgotos) sem nenhum mecanismo compensatório e mitigador baseado em políticas públicas. Demonstrando o cenário típico onde as comunidades de zonas costeiras são submetidas a pressões econômicas e políticas, que ignoram a realidade social e não atendem os objetivos de desenvolvimento sustentável nas zonas marinhas e costeiras (GASALLA;GANDINI, 2016, p. 11). Os autores sugerem o auto-organização das comunidades locais como forma de promover o equilíbrio de forças políticas dentro e fora das áreas marinhas protegidas.…”

Portable platform for rapid in-field identification of human fecal pollution in water

“…Since human fecal contamination is a major health and environmental threat (Gasalla and Gandini 2016, Given et al 2006, Wear and Thurber 2015), vigilant monitoring of water quality is increasingly required. Culture-based methods are available for determining the quantity of fecal indicating bacteria (FIB) (Harwood et al 2014) but these methods are slow and often lack the diagnostic information necessary to identify the source.…”