Fishing Nets between Two Seas: Guilds and Ship-Owner Associations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fishing Grounds of Andalusia

Abstract

This study examines the organizational network of the extractive sector in Andalusian fishing enclaves. For this, we have evaluated 6 types of informal and institutional relationships between a total of 30 guilds and ship-owner associations in 21 Andalusian fishing ports. The analyzed networks were found to have a core-periphery structure with the guilds playing a central role. The QAP procedure was used to identify two distinct contexts of relationship formation: informal meetings and the government fishing network (corresponding to formal meetings, such as fishing tables, port assemblies and fishing quota negotiations). We verified the existence of significant homophily dynamics based on both fishing ground and organization type.

Describimos la red organizativa del sector extractivo en los enclaves pesqueros andaluces. Para ello evaluamos 6 tipos de relaciones informales e institucionales entre 30 cofradías y asociaciones de armadores de 21 puertos pesqueros de Andalucía. Las redes analizadas responden a una estructura centro-periferia, con un rol central de las cofradías. Con el procedimiento QAP diferenciamos dos contextos para la formación de relaciones: los encuentros informales y la red de gestión de asuntos pesqueros, que se corresponde con encuentros formales, tales como las mesas de pesca, las asambleas de puerto o la negociación de cuotas pesqueras. Comprobamos la existencia de dinámicas de homofilia por caladero de pesca y por tipo de organización.