Fluid Water Care: An Exploration of Critical Care Practices in the Local Water Infrastructure Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Abstract

This thesis has examined the complex and multifaced concept of 'care' in relation to water management in Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. This research engages within the anthropological debate about ‘care’. Through ethnographic materials, this study moves beyond the commonly positive view of ‘care’ by offering a critical perspective on caregiving practices. It emphasizes how certain forms of care—whether controlling, concerned, or through tinkering—can both unintentionally exacerbate and reinforce socio-political and cultural disparities. The initial chapter elucidated the historical transformation of Cabo Pulmo, wherein it evolved from a fishing town to a conservation area under the NPCP. This case serves as a prime example of how the implementation of care may be employed as a means of political control and governance. The creation of the park, although advantageous for marine biodiversity, has also resulted in disputes around land and resource distribution, disproportionately affecting the residents of the Mexican community. This approach to caring placed a higher importance on protecting the environment, even if it had negative effects on the local socio-economic stability. This demonstrates the underlying power dynamics that are involved in managing resources. The second chapter of this thesis uncovered a notable disparity in the perception and implementation of water conservation among both communities in Cabo Pulmo. The Mexican community and the settler migrant community demonstrate diverse methods of water utilisation and preservation, which are shaped by their socio-cultural backgrounds. The notion of 'situations of concern' highlights the intricacy of converting empirical matters, such as water scarcity, into collaborative community endeavours. This care, which is motivated by concerns, encompasses the immediate and long-term difficulties of residing in a resource-constrained area. This chapter presented techno-managerial systems, such as desalination and greywater recycling, to enhance water utilisation within the settler-migrant community of Cabo Pulmo. Although these technologies show potential, they also raise questions regarding care regarding transparency, exclusivity, and equity. In contrast, the Mexican community employs a more communal method to maximise water utilisation. The third chapter expands upon a "social" approach to "care", which signifies a transition towards a more adaptable and responsive kind of care. The difficulties encountered in implementing these solutions in Cabo Pulmo emphasise the necessity for a consistent and adaptable approach to management that takes into account the ever-changing and interconnected characteristics of human and environmental systems. The results of this thesis suggest the need for a new and innovative strategy for conservation and resource management that goes beyond conventional strategies focused on control. When it comes to environmental conservation, effective care should give priority to inclusivity, transparency, and adaptability. This thesis has shown that care is an essential component of conservation, but it is also a multifaceted and disputed activity. Through a careful examination of the concept of care, we may create better, fairer, and more comprehensive approaches to handling natural resources and bolstering community resilience in response to environmental difficulties. Cabo Pulmo is an intriguing case study that showcases both the possibilities and challenges associated with the pursuit of sustainable development through careful practices and measures.