Subsistence fisheries in the Sierra Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (Jalisco/Colima, Mexico)

Résumé 0

"Biosphere reserves are charged with the challenging dual objectives of protecting exemplary ecosystems and providing local communities with opportunities for development. Small-scale, subsistence fisheries occur in many protected areas in Mexico, but little is known about their characteristics. Additionally, subsistence fishermen rarely have the possibility to express their opinions on the quality of the ecosystems they depend on for survival. We used surveys to describe the Ayuquila River (Jalisco, Colima, western Mexico) fishery and document the fishermen's perspective towards environmental quality and river management. The subsistence fishery of the Ayuquila has major importance for rural communities in the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve, but it is little organized and is secondary to agricultural activities in the region. The fishery has been affected by environmental problems including pollution and overexploitation, but regional efforts by the biosphere reserve and local governments have resulted in fishery improvement over the years. These events are reflected in the opinions that fishermen have of the current environmental situation of the river and of the institutions involved in conservation efforts. We describe how regional processes have affected river management and identify areas for further improvement. We suggest that empowering subsistence fishermen via their participation in surveys undertaken by regional institutions is a viable strategy to improve wellbeing of rural communities and natural resource conservation."