Abstract

A historical analysis of the fisheries in southwestern Puerto Rico suggests that government development efforts (both local an federal) have contributed to the depletion of marine resourses, while advocating conservation practices. Local fishermen have also developed, through years of daily contact with resources, perceptions and cultural constructions about conservation and unsustainable practices. It is argued that productive and social processes in the fisheries are heavily influenced by market forces. Thus, the practice of small scale fishers, as well as their cultural perceptions on conservation issues, are oftentimes constructed by forces fitting into their logic of production and reproduction of daily life. It is this logic and cultural construction that tend to influence their decisions related to what technology to use and the fishing grounds to exploit.\This paper explores the many instances in which the fishermen of La Parguera express through their discourses and practices about production and the importance of conservation practices. This paper also takes a critical look at the actual conservation practices and those circumstances that prevent full sustainability on their behalf. Perhaps, the most crucial event related to conservation is the action movement towards the development of a Marine Fishery Reserve (MFR). This can also be seen in the way they chose a reef to be designated a MFR. Because the chosen area was perceived by the fishermen of La Parguera as the least productive in terms of quantity of fish, it was seen as the “perfect” place for the establishment of the marine reserve so it can be “saved” for future use.

PDF Preview