Memoir of a Caribbean mermaid: A historical ecology study exploring the changing perspectives and human exploitation of manatees in the Caribbean

Abstract

This thesis will focus on the historical ecology of the wider Caribbean region, exploring the changing perceptions and human exploitation of manatees. Central to the research is understanding how socio-economic and cultural forces influenced manatee exploitation before and after European colonization. The study draws information from datasets on published literature, archaeological artifacts, zooarchaeological material, historical mentions, trading records and contemporary perceptions, all centered around the manatee as a research subject. My aim is to further our knowledge of the socio-economic and cultural factors that drove, limited, and allowed for the exploitation of manatees in the Caribbean, and the consequences thereof. This goal will be achieved through a three-step process involving a literature review, three case studies examining the different patterns of manatee utilization in Maya, Taíno, and European societies, and a study questionnaire on current knowledge of the manatee, predominantly focused on Haiti. I will analyze evidence of changes in manatee consumption and distribution pre- and post-colonization to uncover patterns in exploitation. Furthermore, I will examine the cultural and historical significance of manatees among the Taíno, Maya, and other Caribbean communities to understand variations in attitudes and practices related to manatee utilization. Finally, I will discuss how we can integrate current knowledge of the manatee to inform conservation efforts and cultural revitalization within the Caribbean. This research provides insight regarding the complex relationship between humans and marine resources, with broader implications for societies and marine ecosystems.