Commercialization and Reproduction Strategies of Artisanal Fishers

Abstract

The proposal of this paper is the diversification in the strategies of social reproduction and commercialization implemented by river artisanal fishing families in two towns of the province of Entre Ríos, Argentina. It is questioned what are the modes of self-consumption, sales, and exchange that prevail at the community level. A theoretical, political, and epistemological approach focused on the Social and Solidarity Economy is taken up to understand the universe of commercialization and distribution practices that exist in coastal territories. A qualitative methodological strategy is used in which open and semi-structured interviews are prioritized, as well as the participant observation technique. It is concluded that in addition to self-consumption, there are new forms of commercialization that go beyond the traditional relationship between the figure of a fisher-collector and between the collectors- refrigerating plants. Artisanal fishing families are more aware of the value of their work and prefer not to deliver fresh fish at low prices.