TBTI GLOBAL
TBTI Mexico e-book
Un Mar de Retos y Oportunidades en la Pesca Artesanal Mexicana
Ensayos de Divulgación
Edited by
Ana Minerva Arce-Ibarra, Silvia Salas, Francisco Arreguín-Sánchez &
Miguel A. Cabrera
The commendable effort of TBTI Mexico in bringing together researchers and practitioners across the country for the production of the e-book, Un Mar de Retos y Oportunidades en la Pesca Artesanal Mexicana, is therefore timely. The book builds on a strong foundation of scientific, local and Indigenous knowledge and collective experiences of researchers from across disciplines. Drawing from members’ inputs, the first chapter provides rationale and motivation for TBTI Mexico, along with the vision and the impact that it aims to create. It reinforces the global call for a transdisciplinary and a holistic perspective in looking at the entire small-scale fisheries chain, while emphasizing values that are beyond economics…. While not easy, the network like TBTI Mexico can help facilitate the discussion and the development of a plan of actions, and mobilize support to execute it. We have seen it done before in Mexico, especially with the work of Dr. Silvia Salas and the other editors, including in the organization of major conferences like the World Small-Scale Fisheries Congress series, which led naturally to the establishment of the TBTI Mexico hub, and in the publication of the e-book. As pledged by hub members and the book authors, it is just a matter of time when the wellbeing of coastal communities and the viability and the sustainability of small-scale fisheries in the entire Mexico be achieved.
TBTI Peru e-book
Lobitos: Between the Sea and the Oil
A book about the persistence of a Peruvian small-scale fishing community through its past, present, and future – a case study that sheds light on a story, the challenges, and the possibilities of small-scale fisheries in Peru
Edited by
Iván Vite Bacanyan, Emi Koch, Milena Arias Schreiber & Stefanie Torres
Lobitos has a long history of oil development, dating back to the 19th century, but the operation is now under state-run Petroperú. The 2024 oil spill was not the first incident in the area but it’s the one that triggered several post-spill activities, including the production of this e-book “Lobitos: Between the Sea and Oil”. Even without the oil spill, small-scale fisheries of Lobitos have been facing issues with declining catches, competition with industrial fisheries, and pollution. We learned more about the 2024 oil spill during the Blue Justice webinar last February (2025), on World Day of Social Justice. In addition to Henry Henry Espinoza Panta, Tulio Tulio Ever Chapilliquén Bayona, and Emi Koch, we got to meet Ivan Vite Bancayan, the lead editor of the book. Although the oil spill was devastating, the opportunity to talk about it at the webinar was a good healing process. It also helped us think of the ways in which we/TBTI could contribute to. After further discussion and the deliberation, the idea about the Lobito e-book was put formed, and the result is what you have in front of you. Ivan is not only the lead editor of the book but also an author of several chapters. With the book, Ivan has shown us the importance of knowing the past, being attentive to the present, and taking active role in shaping the future. He is the “Young Future” – a true gem for the vibrancy and prosperity of small-scale fisheries communities.
TBTI Brazil e-book
Artisanal Fishing in Brazil:Transformations, Methods and Governance
Coming soon
Edited by
Rodrigo Pereira Medeiros, Beatriz Mesquita Pedrosa Ferreira
and Sérgio Macedo Gomes de Mattos
As one could imagine, a 1,000+ page book, written by 100+ contributors, is not easy to put together in a short period of time. The volume itself speaks to the great collaboration and a level of commitment required to look at the richness and the complexity of small-scale fisheries in a large country like Brazil. The book does a great job at describing small-scale fisheries in Brazil in their current state, as well as in the transition, which is triggered by different kinds of change, both within the sector and outside. Some of them foster positive transformation while some add to their vulnerability. Among other things, the chapters highlight the need to provide social protection, especially for women involved in the fisheries value chain, illustrate how science needs to be transdisciplinary, and argue for governance to be inclusive and transformative. One of the key features of the book is the building of knowledge about small-scale fisheries by a diverse group of people, not only researchers but also fishers, managers, practitioners and activists, which is required to address sensitive issues like social and environmental justice, and fishers’ rights, territory and sovereignty. Referred to as a “Brazilian epistemology of small-scale fisheries,” the editors emphasize it as fundamental for the transition to viability and the pathway to sustainability.
TBTI Colombia e-book
Artisanal Fishing in Times of Change:
Pathways to Sustainability in Colombia
Coming soon
Edited by
Lina M. Saavedra-Díaz, Adriana Santos-Martínez, Miguel González
and Ana Isabel Márquez-Pérez
Like many countries around the world, small-scale fisheries in Colombia cover a wide space, crossing six bioregions: the Caribbean, Pacific, Andean, Amazon, Orinoquia, and Insular regions. This essentially means that one cannot be in Colombia without experiencing small-scale fisheries, in all their similarities and differences. Yet, what is visible about them may not be a true reflection of what they are, and what is not visible about them is likely where potentials and opportunities can be found. This is why this book about small-scale fisheries in Colombia, titled “Artisanal Fishing in Times of Change: Pathways to Sustainability in Colombia”, is such an important initiative. It helps make visible what small-scale fisheries in Colombia were like in the past, what they look like today, what issues and challenges they are currently facing, and what their prospects are for the future. On a whole, the book offers a comprehensive look at small-scale fisheries in Colombia, illustrating their importance and contribution as well as their potentials. It is also an invitation to those interested in small-scale fisheries, including researchers, policymakers, civil society organizations, governments and fishers themselves, to work collaboratively to shape the future of small-scale fisheries in Colombia.
TBTI Ecuador
Artisanal Fishing in mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos
Coming soon
Edited by
César Viteri Mejía, Carlos Silva, Jorge Ramírez-González
and María José Barragán Paladines
This e-book compiles, documents, analyzes, and shares knowledge, experiences, and challenges related to research and intervention efforts in Ecuador’s artisanal fisheries. Through a series of articles, it illustrates the local‑level challenges of this activity and showcases multiple opportunities to transform Ecuador’s artisanal fisheries – a key sector of Ecuadorian society that can be seen as a pillar of the economy, development, and resilience, and as a driver of sustainability and innovation. Revaluing and elevating the fundamental role of fishers as guardians of the sea, creators of value, producers of sustainable food, and agents of change who promote proper resource management – along with improving the working conditions of those involved in the sector and making visible the diversity of local knowledge – are essential steps toward achieving the sustainability and long‑term viability of artisanal fisheries.