RIASSUNTO
Abstract
Exploratory offshore drilling projects are under constant challenge to be competitive, efficient, and to contribute to ecosystem sustainability. At the same time, they attract development and investment, as well as tending to strengthen the communities they relate to. One of the main challenges presented during the preparation of the baseline studies; is incorporating the local knowledge and experience to the traditional methods of socio environmental characterization and evaluation. The project emerges as an alternative aimed at complementing and enriching the baselines of offshore projects, generating new knowledge and procedures by involving local fishing communities, as well as their fishing practices and methods. The traditional methodology for obtaining oceanic hydro biological information consists in using oceanographic research cruises. These cruises are subject to logistic, climatic and oceanographic limitations in the areas to be evaluated. The project consisted of monitoring hydro biological resources, involving independent fishermen and artisanal fishing organizations in the Colombian Caribbean, between the years of 2016 and 2017. This process included three steps: personnel selection; training and coaching sessions, and applying what was learned during the training sessions.
This relationship and involvement with the fishermen responded to the intent of recognizing the parties involved and reciprocal learning in the knowledge of the hydro biological resource. The approach was supported in a view from the meaningful learning and participatory research. Integrating the empirical knowledge of fishermen with new knowledge, achieved collective learning (fishermen-technician). Relevant and high quality data for project was obtained, as well as new skill development for the fishermen on methods and tools for collecting information. This opens a range of opportunities for future employment in the development of their economic activities in a more competitive way. At a quantitative level, the homogeneity in the data collected by technicians and fishermen in simultaneous data collection exercises demonstrates adequate application, valid technical results, and compatibility with any other traditional methodology. The benefit of this methodology consists of obtaining high quality technical information for the projects, based on the integration of empirical knowledge and the local work force of the fishing communities. This allows the substitution of traditional methods, integrating knowledge and local participation and being a replicable applicable model for other projects, sectors and geographies.