Small-scale fishery at the coast of Brazil: biology and ethnobiology of target species

Abstract

Small-scale fishing in coastal communities is an important life-supporting activity. Fishing can provide a significant portion of daily calories intake and also income, which can be a considerable part of total income in poor communities. Despite using mostly traditional methods of fishing, artisanal fishery can harm strongly populations of endangered fish species. For certain countries, such as are tropical countries and Brazil, in particular, small-scale fisheries are responsible for more than 50% of total fishery production of the country. So, for conservation of endangered species one needs developing a special strategy taking into account interests of coastal communities. An optimal solution of this rather challenging task necessarily involves studies in both biology and ethnobiology of endangered species, studying of local customs and careful estimations of impact of planned preservation measures. This project aims to analyze data collected on the biology (reproduction, in particular) and ethnobiology (fishers knowledge, nomenclature and fishing spots) of dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) at several sites along the coast of Brazil. We seek to contribute to adequate and conservation measures to encourage fishermen to conserve this species. In particular, closed fishing seasons associated with compensatory arrangements could help towards the conservation of this highly threatened fish, which has been ignored in current management measures in Brazil. The secondary aim of this project is to investigate a general influence of human life-supporting activities in coastal communities on the population reproduction of dusky grouper and other species primarily targeted by local fishermen. To this end it is planned to analyze a volume of field data obtained in a series of research project carried and still carrying on by the Fisheries and Food Institute, Universidade Santa Cecilia, Santos, and to create databases and maps representing these data in the most illustrative and easy-to-use way. This project is to be developed in close cooperation with Profa. Alpina Begossi, executive director of the Fisheries and Food Institute (FIFO), ECOMAR/UNISANTA, Universidade Santa Cecilia, Santos in collaboration to Capesca/Nepa/Unicamp. Apart from research work, this project implies giving seminars and reading a course in ecology in Universidade Santa Cecilia, Santos. (AU)