Sustainable Management of Bycatch in Latin America and Caribbean Trawl Fisheries (REBYC-II LAC)

Industrial trawling fisheries remain as an important economic engine in the Colombian Pacific

As part of the activities framed within the REBYC II LAC project in Colombia, an analysis of the value chain of the industrial shrimp fishery in the Colombian Pacific was successfully concluded. This analysis allows mangers and other stakeholders to explore in detail the economic panorama of industrial trawl fisheries in this region, the socio-economic characteristics of the communities that participate in these fisheries and the role of the different actors that make its development possible. The analysis highlights the importance of these fisheries in the generation of direct and indirect jobs in rural and coastal areas, as well as its contribution to the alleviation of poverty, increased food security and great contribution as a catalyst for the local economies.

A prominent aspect of this analysis is the characterization of the role of women in the value chain of fisheries, not only of shrimp but also of many finfish species, particularly in a context of food security and poverty reduction. In general, approximately 60% of the jobs generated by the industrial shrimp fishery are occupied by women, performing a variety of roles that span from the processing and commercialization of catches, to the management of fishing companies and distribution centers. However, the study also showed that the majority of these jobs are temporary and therefore their contribution to job stability and social security for these women is limited. Likewise, there is a great disparity in terms of gender as one ascends in all the strata of production, processing, distribution and commercialization of the fishing products of this region, which tends to maintain current economic and power gaps.

Among the challenges that were identified are the lack of land communication routes that allow efficient and regular transport of fishery products to the rest of the country, as well as access to supplies and spare parts necessary for fishing activity. Likewise, the high poverty rates in the region coupled with low educational level of its inhabitants constitute a barrier that limits sourcing qualified labor, which in turn, have a negative effect in terms of generating added value to the resources produced in these communities. Regarding the labor aspect, it was also evidenced that, although industrial shrimp fishing is an important source of employment in the region, there are high levels of informality in the sector.

In general terms, it can be said that, although there are still considerable challenges that hinder the development of this activity to its full potential, industrial shrimp fishing in the Colombian Pacific remain as a very important engine for local economies and food security in the region.

28/05/2020