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Abstract:
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"The coastal and marine environments of the Pacific Coast in Central America present a cultural and historical use of their rich natural resources. The original human populations living in these areas continue being environmentally, socially, culturally and economically vulnerable.
"The biological and cultural richness of these areas has deteriorated at a very accelerated rate for many reasons. The causes include irresponsible artisanal and industrial fishing, massive tourism development, the boom in coastal real estate development, etc. These causes have engendered a loss of the cultural identity of the marine and coastal communities and their traditional knowledge associated with using these resources.
"The sea is and always has been a well of common access. At present there is an experience underway on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast that evidences that this may become a potential benefit, if we are open to recognizing new forms of governance where the communities of artisan fishermen and fisherwomen participate in management and decision making for the areas where they have traditionally gone about their business, establishing voluntary norms for their sustainable use and management.
"CoopeTarcoles R.L., with the support of CoopeSoliDar R.L, is the first artisanal fishing community in Costa Rica that has prepared and applied a local Code for Responsible Fishing and a database for their activity. It is currently moving forward for recognition of the first community marine area for responsible fishing in Costa Rica.
"This initiative motivates innovative management and decision making and a form of community governance for the coastal marine resources, for those goods that are held in common, recognizing and maintaining their nature as such.
"The resources continue under a common set-up, not establishing exclusive rights, but voluntary norms that allow for the conservation and sustainable use of the coastal and marine resources, with the assistance of a state that recognizes the traditional rights for fishing in these communities."
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