Abstract

The purpose of this study is to critically analyze how communities and decision-makers can adapt to uncertainty and rapid change in social and ecological aspects of coastal and marine systems towards a more effective environmental governance at the regional level. We describe and analyze three participatory workshops as an arena of co-creation of ideas towards key social-ecological changes and their impacts on the wellbeing of coastal communities. The workshops were stimulated by visual arts and community participation in three fishing communities at the Southeast coast of Brazil. The workshop followed the World Café method due to its flexibility and potential to stimulate a co-creation process as participants build from information provided by others. Massive tourism, changes to water regime in the region, and reduced fish stocks were the key changes happening at the regional level driven by both local and external drivers. On one hand, such changes negatively impact local eating habits and social relations between community members. On the other hand, they provide new education and income opportunities. The graphics outcome and the discussions of the workshops were disseminated to local schools fostering children reflection and awareness of themselves as agents of change. They also contributed to community engagement at the regional level including an exchange of experiences between coastal communities and communication with regional protected area managers, including a marine protected area that is currently developing a zoning plan to regulate marine activities in the North Coast of São Paulo state and a no-take protected area that struggles to manage traditional communities living within its delimitation. Further outcomes include the development of a theoretical approach to tailor conservation measures.

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