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CoopeSoliDar (Griselda Alvarado, Vivienne Solis, Marvin Fonseca)
Nonprofit Organization
Costa Rica
CoopeSoliDar R.L. is a social solidarity economy organization committed to conserving marine and continental biodiversity and defending the human rights of the populations that live around these territories. It recognizes in these human populations culture, traditional knowledge, the right to a dignified life, and the right to a fair and equitable distribution of benefits derived from the sustainable use of natural resources fundamental to their way of life.
CoopeSoliDar R.L. focuses its work on marine territories and conservation areas associated with small-scale artisanal fishing. This includes preparation, fishing, fish processing and sale, food security, marine governance, marine spatial planning, management, and marine territory sustainability.
In its 22 years of work, part of the efforts focused on the defense of human rights and the protection of the marine environment, recognizing the small-scale artisanal fishing sector in Costa Rica and Latin America. The sector improved with capacity building objectives for grassroots organizations, collective action, advocacy and public policy, women and youth, and the development of a commercial initiative based on values and principles, among others.
Despite CoopeSoliDar R.L.’s accomplishments, the small-scale artisanal fishing sector and local communities continue to be the most vulnerable sectors in the face of threats and discussions about sustainable development in their communities and territories. Unfortunately, non-governmental organizations and governments ignore the realities experienced in these territories and the importance of addressing them from a human rights perspective.
According to data from the 2009-2011 Structural Survey of Artisanal Fishing and Aquaculture in Central America, carried out with the support of OSPESCA/AECID, a total number of 14,800 artisanal fishermen and fisherwomen are registered in marine and inland areas in Costa Rica.
As per the survey, 13,860 are men, and 940 are women, and despite the large number of people involved in fishing activities, most of them do not have a permit or license that counts them un the data. Thus their access to the resource, food security, and social benefits, all fundamental rights for their welfare, are seriously affected.
Regardless of the survey’s data, working directly with the people of the sea allows CoopeSoliDar R.L. to help fisherpeople envision human rights in marine conservation, giving us more time to maintain hope and move towards the conservation for the sea, and equity for the people.
Regardless of the survey’s data, working directly with the people of the sea allows CoopeSoliDar R.L. to help fisherpeople envision human rights in marine conservation, giving us more time to maintain hope and move towards the conservation for the sea, and equity for the people.
