Valdes-Pixxini, M. 1990. Fishermen associations in Puerto Rico: Praxis and discourse in the politics of fishing. Human Organization. 49(2):164-173.

Fishermen associations in Puerto Rico have become lobbying agencies for the fishermen by serving their social, economic, and political interests. As such they are the vehicle by which fishermen participate in the political arena and influence the decision-making process. This article documents and discusses the trajectory of the fishermen associations of La Parguera, in the southwest coast of Puerto Rico, as they opposed the development of a marine sanctuary from NOAA. Here, the author explores the process of opposition to the sanctuary in the context of the political environment. This case illustrates the problems and socio-political consequences of lack of public participation in the development of management plans. While small- scale fishermen are often viewed as unable to develop political strategies and actions, this case presents a situation in which the fishermen demonstrated the ability for the effective use and manipulation of the political resources, the media and the public opinion. The range of strategies, forms of discourse and political praxis featured by these fishermen are also discussed.

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Ventresca, D.A., M.L. Gingras, J. Ugoretz, A. Voss, S. Blair, J. Plant, R. Hornady, and C. Yoshiyama. 1997. The potential of marine reserves to enhance fisheries. p. 79-90. In : Marine Protected Areas of California: A Summary of a Conference Session. D.M. McCardle and R.M. Starr (eds.). Univ. Of California, Sea Grant Cooperative Extension, Santa Barbara, CA.