Market Formalization, Governance, and the Integration of Community Fisheries in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

A major trend in global trade in forest, animal, and agricultural products is the implementation of importation policies and development of private sector standards and certification mechanisms to promote the sustainable management of natural resources in the countries of origin. In many cases, ensuring sustainable origins involves requirements that small-scale rural producers and fishers cannot meet. This article investigates the formalization of community-based floodplain fisheries in the Brazilian Amazon, including (a) the development of federal and state fisheries management policies, (b) the parallel development of community management systems, and (c) the role of these processes in the evolution of fisheries management in the Lower Amazon region. We argue here that market-oriented solutions, such as third-party certification, are insufficient. Government support for and collaboration with producers and industry are essential to creating conditions that enable fishing communities to sustainably manage their fisheries.

Formalization as Development in Land and Natural Resource Policy

“…In contrast, the cases on NTFPs in Southern Africa (Wynberg et al 2015), land titling in Western Amazonia (Cronkleton 2015), and inland fisheries in the Brazilian Amazon (McGrath et al 2015) illustrate very different patterns in the institutional context of formalization. These cases represent more ''organic'' responses of regulatory systems to norms (in the case of the NTFPs) and to local resource interests (in the Amazonian cases).…”

Large‐scale degradation of Amazonian freshwater ecosystems

“…Hunting along riparian zones is widespread (Bodmer et al, 1999;Parry et al, 2014), as is exploration of palm fruits (e.g., Euterpe oleracea), timber (e.g., Calycophyllum spruceanum), and fish (e.g., Arapaima spp. Together, these activities often contribute as much as two-thirds of rural household income (McGrath et al, 2008(McGrath et al, , 2015Ewel, 2009). Together, these activities often contribute as much as two-thirds of rural household income (McGrath et al, 2008(McGrath et al, , 2015Ewel, 2009).…”

“…; Pinedo-Vasquez et al, 2001;Brond ızio, 2008;Castello & Stewart, 2010). Together, these activities often contribute as much as two-thirds of rural household income (McGrath et al, 2008(McGrath et al, , 2015Ewel, 2009).…”

Importância Comercial E De Subsistência Da Pesca Para Comunidades Da Várzea Do Baixo Amazonas

“…O uso de pequenas embarcações a remo também é encontrado em estudos mais antigos e atuais sobre a pesca na Amazônia (GOULDING, 1979;SMITH, 1979;HALLWASS et al, 2011;CASTELLO et al, 2013). Portanto, apesar de incentivos à modernização do setor pesqueiro na Amazônia em década recentes, incluindo a pesca de pequena escala (MCGRATH et al, 1993;MCGRATH et al, 2015), a pesca artesanal apresentou poucas inovações no que diz respeito aos equipamentos e estratégias empregadas (MCGRATH et al, 1998).…”