PERSPECTIVES AND CHALLENGES IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE EXTRACTIVE RESERVE

Abstract

Extractive Reserves (Resex) are established from territorial spaces to contribute towards the conservation of certain environmental areas. There is a concern for the conservation of natural resources through sustainable use and permanence and maintenance of the life of populations traditionally inhabiting these areas. These spaces are the product of historical struggles, initially in the northern region of Brazil. The process of Resex constitution is the stage of several interests featuring conflicts, especially social and environmental struggle. In the case of Marine Resex, the conflicts have acquired a greater dimension due to the privileged sites where it was established. Current paper contributes to the debate on the main perspectives and challenges involved in the founding of a Resex. Current descriptive research comprises bibliographic information on the theme, and data from interviews with extractivists of the Marine Resex of Canavieiras BA Brazil. Results show that the conservation of certain environments through the establishment of a Resex is basic for territorial protection and the maintenance of the populations´ lifestyle. However, the organization and the mobilization of traditional peoples are crucial for its establishment. This is due to contrary interests to their establishment because of their specificities, localization and the different forms of social-environmental conflicts inherent to the process.