Open Access

Dorothea Hensing

• With her paper "Artisanal fisheries in circumstances with political framework and co-management" Dorothea Hensing discusses the high productivity of pelagic fish in the Humboldt Current Large Marine Ecosystem (HCLME) and how it is impacted by factors such as acidification and oxygen depletion due to global warming. This ecosystem, rich in marine life, faces significant challenges exacerbated by extreme weather events like El Niño and La Niña, profoundly impact the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen, creating economic instability. Despite these adversities, artisanal fisheries remain crucial contributors to Peru‘s GDP. However, their sustainability and financial stability are compromised by various factors, including the lack of institutional support and the prevalence of informal practices within the industry. Informality permeates aspects such as labor relations and vessel construction, consequently affecting workers' rights, their financial stability and rendering them vulnerable. Fishing communities, such as the one in Chorillos, are complex socio-ecological systems reliant on social capital, but they are susceptible to external influences. Political dimensions further complicate the scenario, necessitating the establishment of effective co-management mechanisms, artisanal fisheries' inclusion in decision-making processes, a comprehensive understanding of ecosystem threats, and policy reforms to address informality. The author demonstrates the importance of strengthening governance and decision-making processes to address institutional flaws and protect the marine ecosystems and livelihoods of artisanal fishermen in Peru.