Relational Capital in Fishing Communities: The Case of the “Stretto” Coast FLAG Area in Southern Italy

Abstract

Given the importance of the role assigned to social relations and the exchange of information in the theory that subsumes the latest EU Development Policy planning for 2007-2013, this study analyses the “Stretto” Coast FLAG fishing community, in Southern Italy, from the perspective of the “relational capital” it possesses. The analysis aims at highlighting the quality and intensity of the relationships that exist among fisherfolk and that are of relevance for their professional activities. The study is conducted by integrating qualitative research with elements of quantitative Social Network Analysis. The hypothesis is that the relatively limited effectiveness of current local development initiatives might be partly due to too much isolation and limited information flow among the actors involved. If true, reducing isolation and increasing information flows might contribute to increase the effectiveness existing and future policies. In turn, this would increase the efficiency of use of the limited financial resources devoted to fishery development and, more generally, to the social and economic local development by empowering local actors in finding solutions to existing problems in an area that remains, from many points of view, still problematic.