Livelihood options for the coastal zone of Tabasco, Mexico

Citation

Perez Sanchez E, Muir J & Ross L (2005) Livelihood options for the coastal zone of Tabasco, Mexico. Aquatic Resources, Culture and Development, 1 (2), pp. 91-108.

Abstract
The aim of the present study is to measure the driving forces that take place at the Mecoacan estuary, Tabasco. Although aquaculture practices have been implemented as an alternative to fishing, and to improve the current levels of fisheries' production, the results showed that conditions within Mecoacan fisheries have deteriorated significantly. The reduction of access to resources and formal regulation through fishing cooperatives were demonstrated to have a significant effect on the integration of aquaculture into the livelihood portfolio of local communities. Considering the trends for international economic integration, it is impossible to conceive a sustainable livelihoods strategy that is isolated from the global context. Results suggest that actual aquaculture establishiment appears to fall within current cultural norms, and it may play an important role in the development of the Mecoacan estuary. Therefore, a major challenge is to create new policies that reduce the changes in social parameters that disperse benefits distribution through the incorporation of socioeconomic and resource management aspects in the coastal zone of Tabasco.

Keywords
Aquaculture; sustainable development; resources management; Tabasco

Journal
Aquatic Resources, Culture and Development: Volume 1, Issue 2