Collective symbolic capital and sustainability: Governing fishing communities in a knowledge economy

The sustainable management of shared fishery resources remains a research concern despite the theoretical advances of recent decades. In the context of globalization, governance of fisheries resources cannot be conceived aside from a general restructuring of the value chain and without taking into account the evolution of the standard of living of fishing communities. This paper argues that in knowledge-based economies, value creation is based on proper management of the friction between material and immaterial vectors associated with the activity of fisheries. The case study of the shellfish community of Carril in northwestern Spain is presented and analyzed, setting out potential labeling alternatives to empower local producers. & 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.