At the turn of the tide

Despite the critical importance of small-scale fisheries for food security, particularly in the context of climate change and depletion of natural resources, and the role of fishers as stewards of aquatic ecosystems, their future is uncertain. In Uruguay, artisanal fishing has received very little attention even though it represents 46% of the fishermen in the country, provides an income to over 5000 people directly or indirectly, and is the main source of income in several coastal communities. Photographs featured on this page represent the beginning of my second long-term photography project to document the life, culture, and state of artisanal fishing in Uruguay.