Abstract

In recent years there has been a growth in Marine Protected Areas worldwide. In South America this phenomenon has highlighted the tension between the expansion of fishery production and the conservation of biodiversity. However, recent experiences have shown some local alternatives for conservation which are able to conciliate the use and protection of natural resources. Drawing on empirical research this paper seeks to analyze the development of an environmental arena for marine conservation in Chile, and discusses the institutional trajectory of the exploration and management of small-scale fisheries in the Cardenal Caro Province. Results show that the implementation of a Marine Protected Area in the studied region is part of an institutional framework based on sustainable use of fisheries, social relations of conflict and cooperation, and the development of a municipal environmental arena.