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Lopez-Ercilla I, Espinosa-Romero MJ, Fernandez Rivera-Melo FJ, Fulton S, Fernández R, Torre J, Acevedo-Rosas A, Hernández-Velasco AJ, Amador I. The voice of Mexican small-scale fishers in times of COVID-19: Impacts, responses, and digital divide. Mar Policy 2021; 131:104606. [PMID: 36313928 PMCID: PMC9587762 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically, quickly, and extensively affected fisheries, the effects of which have yet to be quantified globally, although some efforts have already been made locally and regionally. This study provides insights regarding the impacts of the pandemic in Mexican small-scale fisheries, explores community responses and digital divide. A total of 1493 interviews were conducted, and a social media analysis that reviewed 9079 posts from April to December 2020 was performed. The results show large socio-economic and environmental impacts (e.g. 89% of the markets closed in April, and 72% of respondents perceived an increase in the amount of solid waste). Women have faced increased inequalities when accessing fishing resources or healthcare. Responses have been varied and include closing communities, and fishing organizations distributing emergency funds. Fishers relate feeling very or moderately comfortable with technology and have spent more time using digital platforms during the pandemic than before. While the effects are still unfolding, there is an urgent need to breach the digital divide to guarantee equal opportunities for all. Efforts are needed to ensure that the most vulnerable groups (e.g. women, indigenous people, and elderly individuals) are not excluded from opportunities to access, use or manage resources, including technology. This global crisis may also bring opportunities for adaptation and the implementation of local solutions (e.g. reducing the fishing effort for high-value products), to prepare for future shocks. The findings in this study serve to promote development strategies that build resilience in fishing communities for healthier oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Lopez-Ercilla
- Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C., Isla del Peruano 215, Guaymas 85448, Sonora, Mexico
| | | | | | - Stuart Fulton
- Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C., Isla del Peruano 215, Guaymas 85448, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Rebeca Fernández
- Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C., Isla del Peruano 215, Guaymas 85448, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Jorge Torre
- Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C., Isla del Peruano 215, Guaymas 85448, Sonora, Mexico
| | - Araceli Acevedo-Rosas
- Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C., Isla del Peruano 215, Guaymas 85448, Sonora, Mexico
| | | | - Imelda Amador
- Comunidad y Biodiversidad, A.C., Isla del Peruano 215, Guaymas 85448, Sonora, Mexico
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