Abstract

The sustainable livelihood of small-scale fishers demand improvement on the design of fishing policies that integrate social and economic issues, likewise to develop management strategies that promote sustainability of fishing resources, allowing for development of fisheries rather than just for growth of the activity. To do so, it is necessary to explore which factors contribute to enhance resilience of coastal communities while facing external and internal disturbance factors. In this paper we explore these factors contrasting two communities that have different socio-economic and geographical characteristics, but shared fishing areas and they are subject to the same fishing policies. Data were collected in the field through formal interviews and participant observation, in two neighboring communities in Yucatan, Mexico in 2008, where the main source of income comes from fishing. In addition statistical information was obtained from official sources and from the communities. The theoretical framework for the analysis is supported by theory on livelihood, resilience and coping strategies. We found differences in socioeconomic indicators among fishers, between communities and within communities. While the problems seem common in both communities, the strategies at group level within each community and community-based strategies were different. Adaptive capacity and hence the resilience of the fishers seem to be influenced by socioeconomic conditions, skills and level of organization of each group.

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