Co-viabilité des systèmes halieutiques

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The limited nature of marine resources is becoming increasingly apparent nowadays. Moreover, the conventional models in population dynamics and bioeconomy have not proved operative in managing these resources, most of which are being chronically overexploited. In this paper co-viability is proposed as a conceptual model of fisheries designed to contribute to the definition of a practicable fisheries management. First, we present the crisis context in which the exploitation of marine resources and scientific research operate. The recent history of the Peruvian anchovy fisheries exemplifies the complex overlapping of political, bioecological and economic systems. We then introduce the results of several dynamic modelling exercises at different interfaces: i) environment — resource, where inertia seems to be the driving factor, and ii) resource — exploitation in which technical and biological diversity interact. An example relating to the pelagic market illustrates the problems of scale (global and local) linked to this issue. After this, we present and discuss the question of fisheries management with respect to the standard bio-economic approach, and the new alternatives. Fisheries systems are interactive sets of entities (ecosystems, exploitations, markets, institutions), each of which is characterised by a specific pace of evolution and specific functional scales. Complex interrelations are generated by interaction among their specific (biological and technical) diversities and by interdependence of their respective functional scales (global-local). Management of these systems proceeds on a sector-based approache linked to compartmentalised scientific knowledge. New conceptual settings have been proposed to address the management of fisheries from different perspectives. None emerges as more relevant than the other. Beyond its usefulness as a common concept, the coviability approach aims to work out which articulations would enable a mutual enrichment of different knowledge and perceptions. It could for instance contribute to reconciling the currently conflicting conservationist and productivistic standpoints in the field of marine resources.