Participatory Methodologies for the Elaboration of the Fishing Diagnosis in the APA Costa dos Corais

Abstract

In order to identify the main problems, conflicts, and potentialities of the fishing territory of the Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) Costa dos Corais, the Management Council of the Marine Protected Area has developed a participatory project with the fishermen working in the APA to carry out a diagnosis of fishing, a fundamental component for fisheries management. The aim of the present experience report is to disseminate the methodological proposal used in the construction of the participative diagnosis of the artisanal fisheries, applied in the APA Costa dos Corais. The project was executed under the strategy of using circles of support and efficient communication in seven main stages: 1) training; 2) data collection; 3) mobilization; 4) sectorial meetings; 5) use of participative tools; 6) feedbacks; 7) formation of the fishermen and fisherwomen network. A total of 30 young people from the fishing community, indicated by their leaderships, were trained to support the interviews; they applied 1.439 interviews in 11 municipalities of the APA Costa dos Corais. The process of execution of the fishing diagnosis also worked as recruitment of new leaderships and promoted the increase of the participation in the dialogue spaces. More than 70 fishermen and fisherwomen of the region were included in the local fishery articulation network. The Managing Council of the APA Costa dos Corais reaps the fruits of participative planning that strengthens the relationship between management and the fishing community. It is explicit that using more and more participative methods, accessible language and the employment of technological innovation facilitate the dialogue, encourage greater participation, and qualify the results.