A resource management scenario for traditional and scientific management of pink shrimp (Farfantepenaeus paulensis) in the Patos Lagoon estuary (RS), Brazil

Gustavo Goulart Moreira Moura,Daniela Coswig Kalikoski,Antonio Carlos Sant’Ana Diegues

doi:10.1186/1746-4269-9-6

Gustavo Goulart Moreira Moura, Daniela Coswig Kalikoski + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-9-6

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Abstract

BackgroundThis article aims to discuss the incorporation of traditional time in the construction of a management scenario for pink shrimp in the Patos Lagoon estuary (RS), Brazil. To meet this objective, two procedures have been adopted; one at a conceptual level and another at a methodological level. At the conceptual level, the concept of traditional time as a form of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) was adopted.MethodAt the methodological level, we conduct a wide literature review of the scientific knowledge (SK) that guides recommendations for pink shrimp management by restricting the fishing season in the Patos Lagoon estuary; in addition, we review the ethno-scientific literature which describes traditional calendars as a management base for artisanal fishers in the Patos Lagoon estuary.ResultsResults demonstrate that TEK and SK describe similar estuarine biological processes, but are incommensurable at a resource management level. On the other hand, the construction of a “management scenario” for pink shrimp is possible through the development of “criteria for hierarchies of validity” which arise from a productive dialog between SK and TEK.ConclusionsThe commensurable and the incommensurable levels reveal different basis of time-space perceptions between traditional ecological knowledge and scientific knowledge. Despite incommensurability at the management level, it is possible to establish guidelines for the construction of “management scenarios” and to support a co-management process.

Highlights

The socio-ecological approach has been widely used by several theorists of Human Ecology and Theory of commons [1] for the study and conservation of terrestrial, marine, and estuarine-lagoon ecosystems [2,3], and the cultural diversity associated with these environments [4]
The construction of a “management scenario” for pink shrimp is possible through the development of “criteria for hierarchies of validity” which arise from a productive dialog between scientific knowledge (SK) and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)
We shown that the “incommensurability” thesis is necessary to discuss at which level thecongruencies appear and, from here reveal what is claimed by Menzie and Butler (2006: 06) as: “The principles underlying TEK and science hold similar observational principles”, which will be considered “criteria for hierarchies of validity” ([34]: 98) in the construction of a “resource management scenario” ([14]: 06)

Summary

Introduction

The socio-ecological approach has been widely used by several theorists of Human Ecology and Theory of commons [1] for the study and conservation of terrestrial, marine, and estuarine-lagoon ecosystems [2,3], and the cultural diversity associated with these environments [4]. The first group claims that TEK must be integrated with SK to provide insights into ecological research (biogeography, phylogeny, systematics, ethnology, population genetics, ecosystem management, etc.) [10], and have its likelihood strictly tested against reality [11]. Within this first proposal, TEK is complementary (selectively integrated) to SK, which is considered the ultimate reality against which the traditional is measured [7]. The concept of traditional time as a form of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) was adopted

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