Inland Artisanal Fisheries Cooperatives in Crisis. a Case Study of Sociedad Cooperativa De Producción Pesquera La Sinaloense, Huizache-Caimanero Lagoon System. Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

Abstract: For several decades small scale inland fisheries in Latin America have been facing times of economic crises that constantly take them to the limits of disappearance. The challenges that those harvesting organizations face today are not exclusively related to the decline in lagoon system fisheries ressources that are result of improper practices such as over- expoltation, enforcement and poor management, but also to socio- economic factors. Through a case study with a multidisciplinary approach in a community of fishers, we  are working on developing a management model of fisheries organizations that integrates public policy and programs aimed at preserving lagoon system resources. This model will contribute to sustained improvement of the quality of life of the members of these organizations, improve their durability and the responsible exploitation of the resources. The challenge involves contributing to the reconstruction of the social structure to recover the sense of community, this in order to develop collaborative capabilities, reciprocity and cooperation, which would help the fishers to consolidate life in the community around a profitable activity .

Keywords: management, lagoon system resources, artisanal fisheries cooperatives, socio- economics.