Adaptive Mechanisms of Artisanal Fishing Communities Amid Long-Term Socio-Ecological Transformations in North-Central Chile

The artisanal fishing sector in Chile faces a confluence of stressors that threaten its sustainability and the livelihoods of those depend on it. Foremost among these are the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, illegal fishing, fluctuations in public fisheries policies, market volatility, and resources overexploitation. This study analysis the adaptive mechanisms and biographical trajectories of artisanal fishers in central-northern Chile, examining how these communities have navigated socio-ecological transformations over the past 40 years amid both climatic and anthropogenic changes.  

Using a qualitative research approach, we conducted 70 in-depth interviews with artisanal fishers from the region. The findings reveal a complex adaptive landscape in which individual-level responses, particularly learning and agency, play a pivotal role. Informal, intergenerational knowledge transfer among fishers fosters resilience and supports adaptation to the dynamic socio-ecological conditions inherent to artisanal fishing practices. Moreover, elevated levels of agency empower fishers to actively respond to and address the various changes impacting their daily lives.

At the collective level, action spaces—such as local unions and cooperatives—play a crucial role in enabling long-term adaptation. These spaces facilitate multiple mechanisms, including the acquisition of territorial rights, productive rationalization, enhancement of organizational legitimacy, and the negotiation of access to economic resources and essential services. Additionally, engagement with governmental institutions has fostered critical linkages, expanding these organizations' capacity to channel public resources, which strengthens the broader social and economic fabric of coastal communities. However, these adaptive processes also give rise to new social stratifications characterized by dynamics of inclusion and exclusion based on organizational membership with territorial rights. Gender-based stratifications have also emerged, frequently marginalizing women from decision-making roles and resulting in disparities in resource access and opportunities.

The findings highlight the importance of recognizing diverse adaptive mechanisms within socio-ecologically vulnerable communities, illustrating how both informal knowledge systems and collective structures bolster resilience against long-term socio-ecological pressures. Understanding these adaptive responses has crucial implications for developing governance frameworks that reinforce community-led strategies. Policies aimed at supporting the resilience of artisanal fishing communities must tackle the intertwined challenges of inclusion and stratification, ensuring equitable resource access while fostering sustainable fishing practices. This research advances the field of marine governance by demonstrating the pivotal role of informal, community-based adaptation strategies and provides insights for enhancing coastal community resilience amid global environmental and economic shifts.