The Political Ecology of Small-scale and Artisanal Fisheries: Enclosures, Property and Conservation

Abstract

This article concentrates on some aspects of the political ecology of a specific portion of marine resource users, holders, and guardians – small-scale and artisanal fisheries (SSFs) – with the aim of exploring some of the struggles they are currently facing and how they are positioned vis à vis some of the solutions proposed to improve marine resources and ecosystems management and conservation. In particular, the article looks at the expansion of states’ sovereignty and private property to reduce unsustainable catches and at the establishment of marine and coastal protected areas as instruments that often fall short of sufficiently considering and respecting the livelihoods, culture, and practices of SSFs, so being at risk of falling under the catchy name of ocean grabbing. It is an explorative study, aimed at underlining the importance of keeping a political perspective when looking at SSFs.