Cocreando futuros para la pesca artesanal: el diseño de un proceso transdisciplinar en Uruguay.

Abstract

Although the food we consume comes from various sectors of our food systems, blue foods have always been relegated or understudied. In Uruguay in particular, several co-existing factors undermine the fisheries sector and the benefit of their products to the local diet and food security. The small-scale fisheries sector has historically been relegated in public policies and has received little attention from society. Associated with numerous challenges, it currently faces a bleak narrative about its future. In this context, ‘Pescando Transformaciones’ emerges as a transdisciplinary project to motivate transformative pathways in the small-scale fisheries sector in Uruguay, by confronting the cognitive, technical and creative challenges that this means. This work reports the main results generated by the project, especially describing the process of co-creation of products such as a catalogue, visions of the future and a documentary. We offer an empirical case that demonstrates how fishers, artists, designers, gastronomes and researchers can collaborate to spark local and significant transformations, especially from generative processes focused on creativity and collective action, evidencing the potential of Food Design to contribute to transformative food system processes.