Public policies in the context of artisanal fishing in Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract

The paper describes artisanal fishing and its public policies in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, starting with the historical context of national governance, which culminated in the creation of the Secretariat of Artisanal Fishing within the newly established Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, a result of demands from social movements. Pernambuco, despite being a state recognized for its advances in public policies related to fishing, currently faces challenges as its main participatory policy, promoted through the deliberative Committee, is under threat due to the Committee’s inactivity. The paper also highlights how five Artisanal Fishing Assessments conducted over time have indicated the changes that have occurred in the past thirty years.

Keywords: Artisanal fishers. Decentralization. Traditional communities. Governance.