Artisanal Fishermen Contribution for the Integrated and Sustainable Coastal Management - Application of Strategic SWOT Analysis

This study evaluates the contribution of artisanal fishermen that live in small-scale fishing communities, for the coastal integrated and sustainable management. Generally, there is almost no dialogue between these professionals of the small-scale fishing, the scientific community, the technical experts, as well as policy-makers related with the coastal areas management. This conjuncture compromises the implementation of integrated and sustainable management plans, for which this study should contribute. The approach was performed as an interdisciplinary exercise, essentially using qualitative methods; it was based on a dialogal methodology, the interview, semi-structured, directed to a panel of privileged informers. The small-scale fishing communities studied have different frameworks and are located in several NUTS II of the Portuguese territory. The Strategic SWOT Analysis was performed to the categories which emerged from the qualitative content analysis of the interviews. The study of the categories "Artisanal fishermen" and "Associativism" allowed their characterization and the establishment of Strategic Recommendations and Strategy Supporting the Political Decision-making related with integrated and sustainable coastal development. When included in feasibility studies, the artisanal fishermen's proposals can permit the implementation and execution of management plans, more efficient and connected to the reality; in the present case, an inclusive perspective to the littoral integrated and sustainable development.