Blue Justice and transformative changes in small-scale fisheries communities in Latin America

• Grant number: 23/07633-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: January 24, 2024
• End date: January 23, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti
• Grantee: Deborah Santos Prado
• Supervisor: Derek Armitage
• Host Institution: Instituto do Mar (IMar). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Waterloo, Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/16028-5 - Conflict transformation approaches to the sustainability pathways at the South, Central and North São Paulo state Marine Environmental Protection Areas - SP MEPAs, BP.PD

Abstract

Several studies have highlighted how the recent blue economy agenda can intensify or trigger other numerous conflicts and cases of environmental injustice in coastal and marine areas, especially in the Global South, such as Latin America. Despite growing concerns about 'blue justice', we still need to learn and identify ways to navigate into transformative changes in governance, and towards more viable and just scenarios for powerless social groups, like small-scale fishers. In this research proposal, we aim to have an overview of the main conflicts and blue injustices affecting small-scale fishing communities in Latin America, understand how injustices intensify vulnerability, and how transformational initiatives towards blue justice have been able to increase the viability of small-scale fisheries in the region. To assess the theoretical advances and case studies on blue justice and small-scale fisheries conflicts, a systematic review will be carried out. Case studies that present processes or initiatives that have sought to transform conflicts and enhance the viability of SSF in Latin America will be selected for further analysis. In these cases, when the need for more clarity and details of the case is necessary, we will conduct online semi-structured interviews with the authors/researchers and other stakeholders indicated by them. Expected outcomes include (i) the contribution to a scientific gap, towards a more theoretical and comprehensive investigation on blue justice and conflict transformation, (ii) advances in a regional approach to Latin America, a region that shares countless historical processes of colonization, social struggles, rich biodiversity, and many challenges for a more just and sustainable coastal and marine development. (AU)