244
K. Frangoudes et al.
The process of building mariscadoras associations and empowering women,
previously disorganized and hostile, is the central theme of this chapter. It focuses
on how governability can even be improved in situations shaped by free access and
a strong discrimination against certain users — in this case women. It also aim to show
that gender constitutes a key factor for understanding the institutional dynamics
surrounding shell fi sh harvesting in Galicia and its historical development.
Furthermore, this chapter highlight the problems faced by women in the governance
of this practice, how they have overcome them, and their contribution to resource
governance. A comprehensive understanding of the process, however, fi rst warrants
a discussion of the contextual socioeconomic background.
Background
Spanish fi sheries, especially those in Galicia, excel with respect to other regions in
Europe. The total annual catch landed by Spanish fi sheries amounts to 795,461 tons.
Additionally, there are 11,394 registered vessels, and the fl eets (off-shore, industrial, artisanal, etc.) and activities related to shell fi shing and aquaculture are highly
diversi fi ed (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, data 2008). Nearly 40% of
all af fi liates to the special system of Social Security of the Sea in Spain are found in
Galicia
4 (of fi cial data, December 2010). The Galician fi sheries play a vital role in
the local economy and account for 10.7% of the regional gross domestic product
(GDP) (Galician Institute of Statistics, data for 2003–2004).
In Spain, shell fi shing is part of the fi sheries sector, and Galicia is home to the
majority of on foot shell fi shers. In fact, 91% of the 6,177 shell fi shers af fi liated to the
special system of Social Security of the Sea in Spain are from this region.
5
In other areas of Spain, shell fi shing has almost disappeared. In Galicia, however, it
continues thanks in large part to the natural conditions of the rias (drowned river
valleys) and their high coastal productivity. The main shell fi sh species consumed by
the local population are grooved carpet shell ( Venerupis decussatus ), carpet shell
( Venerupis pullastra ), and cockle ( Cardium edule ). The importance of this activity
has long been disparaged, despite a market value of 21,035.42 million euro and
catches of 2,700 t of clams in 1995 (Marugán Pintos 2004 ) . In 2011 the market
value of clams landings was 67.486.733 €, with a total weight of 8.722 tons (Galician
Government, of fi cial data 2011).
Shell fi shing comprises two different activities: resources are harvested along
the beaches or rocky coastlines either onboard vessels or on foot. In June 2008,
89% of on foot shell fi sh gatherers were women. Shell fi shing conducted from boats,
4 This Social Security of the Sea constitutes a special branch of the social security in Spain devoted
only to workers of the sea, including many other ancillary activities. It is managed by the Social
Institute of the Sea ( Instituto Social de la Marina ), see http://www.seg-social.es/prdi00/
idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=72917&Rendition=Web , accesed 28 November 2011.
5 Data provided by the Social Institute of the Sea (SIS) in 2003.
K. Frangoudes et al.
The process of building mariscadoras associations and empowering women,
previously disorganized and hostile, is the central theme of this chapter. It focuses
on how governability can even be improved in situations shaped by free access and
a strong discrimination against certain users — in this case women. It also aim to show
that gender constitutes a key factor for understanding the institutional dynamics
surrounding shell fi sh harvesting in Galicia and its historical development.
Furthermore, this chapter highlight the problems faced by women in the governance
of this practice, how they have overcome them, and their contribution to resource
governance. A comprehensive understanding of the process, however, fi rst warrants
a discussion of the contextual socioeconomic background.
Background
Spanish fi sheries, especially those in Galicia, excel with respect to other regions in
Europe. The total annual catch landed by Spanish fi sheries amounts to 795,461 tons.
Additionally, there are 11,394 registered vessels, and the fl eets (off-shore, industrial, artisanal, etc.) and activities related to shell fi shing and aquaculture are highly
diversi fi ed (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, data 2008). Nearly 40% of
all af fi liates to the special system of Social Security of the Sea in Spain are found in
Galicia
4 (of fi cial data, December 2010). The Galician fi sheries play a vital role in
the local economy and account for 10.7% of the regional gross domestic product
(GDP) (Galician Institute of Statistics, data for 2003–2004).
In Spain, shell fi shing is part of the fi sheries sector, and Galicia is home to the
majority of on foot shell fi shers. In fact, 91% of the 6,177 shell fi shers af fi liated to the
special system of Social Security of the Sea in Spain are from this region.
5
In other areas of Spain, shell fi shing has almost disappeared. In Galicia, however, it
continues thanks in large part to the natural conditions of the rias (drowned river
valleys) and their high coastal productivity. The main shell fi sh species consumed by
the local population are grooved carpet shell ( Venerupis decussatus ), carpet shell
( Venerupis pullastra ), and cockle ( Cardium edule ). The importance of this activity
has long been disparaged, despite a market value of 21,035.42 million euro and
catches of 2,700 t of clams in 1995 (Marugán Pintos 2004 ) . In 2011 the market
value of clams landings was 67.486.733 €, with a total weight of 8.722 tons (Galician
Government, of fi cial data 2011).
Shell fi shing comprises two different activities: resources are harvested along
the beaches or rocky coastlines either onboard vessels or on foot. In June 2008,
89% of on foot shell fi sh gatherers were women. Shell fi shing conducted from boats,
4 This Social Security of the Sea constitutes a special branch of the social security in Spain devoted
only to workers of the sea, including many other ancillary activities. It is managed by the Social
Institute of the Sea ( Instituto Social de la Marina ), see http://www.seg-social.es/prdi00/
idcplg?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=72917&Rendition=Web , accesed 28 November 2011.
5 Data provided by the Social Institute of the Sea (SIS) in 2003.