The Fishing and Oil Industries in Coexistence

The increasing global demand for marine-derived food and energy resources has intensified competition for seascapes, creating unprecedented challenges for sustainable ocean governance.

This seminal book presents the first comprehensive analysis of decades of coexistence between fisheries and offshore oil industries in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico —a region central to Mexico’s economy, cultural heritage, ecological resilience, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. Employing an innovative interdisciplinary approach grounded in social-ecological systems (SES) theory, it systematically examines the complex trade-offs emerging from this coexistence, where both sectors collectively help to sustain the nation’s food and energy security. The 19-chapter volume integrates diverse methodologies to analyze how these industries coexist in shared spaces and address challenges for their sustainable governance.

The southwestern Gulf of Mexico embodies the convergence of global debates on sustainability, equity, and ocean governance. Few regions better illustrate the tensions and potential synergies between extractive industries and traditional livelihoods, making this book indispensable for all working on contested marine spaces, and particularly relevant for coastal countries facing similar challenges.