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Following on recent interests in social sciences for the development of aquaculture and the alternative management of fisheries, this study shows how the analysis of social and knowledge relations among State-managers, fisheries scientists and local producers helps to better understand the issues at stake in the development and management of coastal resources, and therefore to better identify if a specific cultural setting is suited or not, under its current conditions, for the implementation of a shared management of resources between the State and local organizations. An examination of the recent evolution of the Mexican fisheries sector indicates that the political economic transformations that have characterized the country over the past twenty years have not only affected rural communities in a very profound way, but have also stimulated a rapid growth of shrimp farming activities in coastal areas, and more particularly on the North coast of the state of Nayarit. However, this expansion of shrimp aquaculture has generated many conflicts over the use of and access to natural resources. A closer look at this situation reveals that it is associated with power relationships among all the social actors involved, and intimately related to political interests extending well beyond the local level. The analysis of this case study also demonstrates that conflicting dynamics are fostered by unequal knowledge relations among all the actors involved. In such a context, a complete redefinition of the relationships among State-managers, fisheries scientists and local producers is required for the implementation of any co-management initiative, and anthropologists can contribute to increased visibility of local producers within the decision-making process and fisheries science.