Perspectiva sobre la sostenibilidad de los recursos naturales a largo plazo: caso industria camaronera ecuatoriana[Perspective on the sustainability of natural resources in the long term: shrimp industry in the Ecuadorian case]

Considering the relevance that has taken the welfare of human beings focus on sustainability, both in Latin America and in Ecuador, this paper explores the effects of extractive action and exploitation of natural resources used by the Ecuadorian shrimp industry. The analysis is directed through the concept of sustainable development and the tragedy of the commons, with the aim of harmonizing long-term vision of sustainability in this specific sector. The results show an aggressive expansion of the shrimp industry, which has displaced mangrove forests by pools for shrimp farming and reduced the extent of these forests by 70% from 1980 to 2013; also taking into account the tragedy of the commons, can predict a similar future for this industry, the stage lived in 1999 after the presence of WSV virus, the sector fell by 80% in just one year with serious consequences for local economy. The importance of generating collective and cooperation between those involved actions through legal and regulatory mechanisms that promote a balance between the interaction of nature and humans, replacing the pursuit of individual economic benefit from the social benefit at the prospect arises.