The Condition and Perceptions of Common Property Regimes on the Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua and their Revitalization through Participatory Action-Research

Abstract

"The Pearl Lagoon is one in which the normal antagonistic relation between colonial powers and common- property regimes is not obvious. However, the articulation of Pearl Lagoon with the global economy is, undoubtedly, beginning to show the effects documented by Kottak (1992) in a Brazilian coastal community of: breakdown in cooperative agreements, resource sharing, barter exchange. This articulation, based on neo-liberal economic policies, will probably negatively influence collectively-based patterns of resource management. A countervailing influence has been the PAR process that Pearl Lagoon communities have been engaged in. The creation of a body of shared information on resource management issues and tangible actions are a valuable first step towards maintaining and building upon extant regimes and aspirations of community members. PAR also provides the academic researcher with a research methodology to mutually define research goals with community members--a process that can result in improved understanding of how biological and social mechanisms influence resource management regimes, while supporting common property regimes."