Galindo, Luisa

Artisanal fisheries in Uruguay face multiple and interdependent challenges, including those related to resource conditions, socioeconomic, cultural, and governance dimensions. Climate change is one of the drivers that can intensify the so-called fisheries crisis. In this dynamic and uncertain context, fishers’ adaptation becomes crucial. In 2023, the Latin American Network of Participatory Research (RIPAL), joined efforts with Uruguayan academic institutions and other actors (e.g. the National Union of Seaworkers) to lead a transdisciplinary project on this topic involving artisanal fishers. The objectives were (1) to collaboratively analyze challenges imposed by climate change on artisanal fisheries in Uruguay’s coastal and inland areas, and (2) to generate a co-creation and learning environment between researchers and fishers from multiple locations of the country to explore ongoing and potential adaptation strategies. Fifty-five fishers and fishworkers (39 men and 16 women) participated in the project (August - December 2023), belonging to 4 regions of the country with different fishing and environmental characteristics: rivers, Río de la Plata estuary, lagoons, and Atlantic Ocean. The main methods used were photo-voice, semi-structured interviews, and workshops. In this presentation we focus on the communication components of the project, considering both the process and its outcomes/outputs. The combination of in-person, virtual and hybrid activities allowed for the involvement of fishers from multiple locations and promoted learning and relationship-building among them, as well as between academic and non-academic participants. Two important outputs of the project were a web map showing fishers’ perspectives about the changes in the social-ecological systems they inhabit, and a photo-exhibit with pictures shared by fishers (through photo-voice), available online and printed. Communication and participation challenges in this national-level participatory research project are also discussed.

In the context of transdisciplinary research in Latin America, community members often expect to be recognized as citizens with valuable capabilities and knowledge, co-creating a common understanding of social-ecological systems and strategies to safeguard resources. Communication has played a major role in recovering historical memory and driving social changes in Latin America, particularly within social mobilization, such as decolonization and environmental justice movements. For many Latin American actors, such as local communities, grassroots organizations, and leaders from non-profit organizations, the term ‘communication’ is understood as something shaped and transformed by lived experiences, cultural narratives, traditions, and power dynamics. The Network for Participatory Research in Latin America (Red de Investigación Participativa en América Latina - RIPAL) is developing a repository of transdisciplinary research tools and cases for the region that are publicly accessible online. The objective of this work is to compare and analyze these tools and cases, to answer questions about the factors affecting the communication between researchers and non-researchers, the forms and channels of communication (e.g., oral, visual, written, or performative), and how inclusive different worldviews are in these communications. These tools are applicable in pedagogical, practical, and research contexts. They facilitate the use of qualitative and quantitative data and promote consensus. They are collaborative, useful for stakeholder mapping, applicable in in-person or virtual workshops, foster trust, and are suitable for all ages and diverse contexts. Within this work we aim to offer a common ground to facilitate discussions on the challenges and opportunities in advancing communication within transdisciplinary research on Latin American common-pool resources.