Who took the "photos"?
Twenty-five academics from five different research institutions formed a multidisciplinary team that, for two years (2017-2019), took and collected like "photos" alongside the local population. We selected older and more recent "photos" which showed a wide vision of the richness of marine nature, and relevant historical elements. The most relevant "photos" showed the complex scenario where fisheries and oil extraction were competing and affecting the coastal communities.
How did people take or recollect the "photos"?
Project participants used different approaches like photographers use different equipment like cameras, tripods, and lenses to capture how they perceive fisheries and oil extraction. Some "photos" however, were obtained from historical collections, academic research or government institutions.
What did we find in the "photos"?
In general, this information or "photos" captured the relationship between fishers and oil workers over the years. Such a relationship has gone from formal to informal, and from encounters to disagreements. We have identified more than 50 social visible actors, such as PEMEX, fisheries cooperatives, authorities, universities, civil society organisations, and women and children [who are affected]. In this governance network some “rules of the game” have been created which allow both activities to coexist in an unequal and changing game \cite{la_Cruz_2020}.
We found that fishers receive financial compensation for the impacts of oil extraction, but feel that their vocation is not taken into account and are being dispossessed of their produce
(Ramos-Muñoz 2019). Fishers also feel that they work in a context of insecurity and distrust, where they have been gradually excluded and abandoned.
We were also able to identify which species of fish had more economic relevance. Moreover, we found that there are about 32 fisheries in the Tabasco and Campeche coasts, where mussel farming and red snapper fishing have potential to meet sustainable goals shortly, but more research is needed. Importantly, we also analyzed the role of women in fisheries, an activity traditionally dominated by men.
Another significant finding is that fishing provides food to fishers homes, representing 30% of their total income \cite{jm2019}.
Finally, in order to improve the sustainability of both activities, we must pay special attention to some “photos” captured in the communities: 1) the majority of young people and women in these coastal communities show willingness to expand their productive activities; an example is aquaculture; 2) the revival of the oil industry creates an atmosphere of optimism, but communities would like to be better informed; 3) it is urgent to build links with the communities to improve communication and reach agreements with a capacity for consensus, under clear and transparent rules.