Abstract

In this paper through a historical analysis of the fishing activity based on the theory of change management , we explore how fishing firms have been able to respond to changes on fishing resources and markets dynamics given the business management philosophy that has prevailed in Yucatan’s fishing industry. We also questioned if such way of doing business is still viable given the current context, and if not, what type of changes are needed in order to better fit into the fisheries and market new and changing conditions. The research was carried out in Yucatan in 2008 based on formal interviews of firm owners from the 20 most important companies from the fishing industry. Direct observation from the functioning of each company was also conducted and fisheries managers, NGO leaders and other stakeholders were also interviewed. The results show that emergence of new users of fish resources, market specialization, reduction on fishing resources is demanding a dynamic change in the interrelationship between the way of doing business and fisheries management. Thus, the companies which would be able to remain in the industry would be those capable of finding an adaptive diversification strategy towards their production processes, market segmentation and relations with the actors at different levels. In other words, those companies able to recognise the need for change and identify the best way to implement it would have more possibilities to survive. Finally, a discussion about how stakeholders can contribute to the sustainability of fisheries in the Yucatan region is presented.

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