Disentangling the complexity of small-scale fisheries in coastal communities through a typology approach: The case study of the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

Small-scale fisheries (SSF) are highly heterogeneous, complex, and dynamic. The natural and socio-economic components associated with these fishery systems are subject to different drivers, issues, and challenges. Understanding SSF complexity requires an exercise to unpack the systems into manageable clusters that are easier to analyze and understand, and that can generate sound information to support management decision-making. Under this premise, we propose the use of fisheries typology to classify SSF, using 22 coastal communities in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, as illustrations. Although operating under the same official regulations, the SSF in these communities are different in contexts and face different challenges. The study uses multivariate analysis to identify and classify SSF into types, and afterward analyzes differences and commonalities in their features. The analysis shows three types of SSF, differentiated by fishing production, landing composition, fishing effort, and economic characteristics, suggesting different levels of sustainability of the resources targeted. The typology approach enables an organization and integration of numerous fisheries attributes, helps identify gaps in information and knowledge, as well as enhances overall understanding of SSF complexity. It also offers an opportunity to set new research questions regarding monitoring systems and management interventions, taking into consideration the differences and similarities in the identified SSF types.