Between nets and glass: industries in the ocean

Abstract

This text addresses the exploitation of marine fauna from two capitalist industries: entertainment and commercial fishing. Based on particular expressions of both industries, such as cetaceans in captivity to give shows in water parks and hotel complexes, or shark fishing and the collateral damage it has on non-target species, as well as the generation of waste and plastics. These cases allow a general review of the repercussion of these economic activities in the ocean, both in the space or environment of marine species, as well as the physical and psychological effects on them. Situations of global size are taken up again with clear examples in Latin American countries to know the role they play and the position they have regarding these problems. In this way, the relationship between industries and marine fauna is revealed and recognized as a historical process that has been in progress for centuries in the form of cultural and economic activities. However, thanks to the technological advances of the 20th century, these were carried out on a massive scale and without measuring the consequences. Thus, marine conditions are proof of the latent Capitalocene.