Limits and Possibilities for the Participative Management of Fisheries on the Coast of Paraná, Southern Brazil: Experiences from the Project “Nas Malhas da Inclusão”

Abstract

In this article, in the light of concepts and theoretical formulations on the appropriation and co-management of common resources, some key conditions for fishery management on the Paraná state coast (Brazil) are analyzed and recommendations to overcome obstacles and to use existing opportunities are made. The analysis was based on experiences and information obtained throughout the project “Nas Malhas da Inclusão”, a set of actions developed through a partnership between NGOs, government agencies involved in fishery management, and fishermen in order to promote fishery co-management on the coast of Paraná. The research identified several limitations of the current management model, which compromise the results and put local fishermen in a vulnerable condition, not only for the inefficiency in promoting resources conservation, but also for the illegality of much of their fishing practices. The overcoming of these limitations requires consistent and continuous actions on many fronts, including the construction of appropriate institutional arrangements, the obtainment of information, the empowerment of fishermen and the development of new forms of social organization of production. Unfortunately such actions do not seem to be part of government plans for the fishing sector in Brazil and in Paraná.