Caracterização socioeconômica da pesca artesanal na Ilha dos Coqueiros em Acaraú

Abstract

Small-scale or subsistence fisheries along the Brazilian coast is a growing economic sector playing an important social role for a large number of stakeholders. The purpose of this study was to describe fisheries in Ilha dos Coqueiros (Acaraú, Ceará, Northeastern Brazil) and their social impact on local communities. Information was collected on field trips in the period 2012-2014 by administering semi-structured questionnaires to local residents and interviewing fishermen and community leaders. Subsistence fisheries in Ilha dos Coqueiros target multiple species and employ several different methods/gear. Fishing boats are of the planked hull type, measuring 3-9 m, and most often manned by 1-3 crew (82%). For more than half (66%), landings range between 1 and 50 kg per fishing trip. Seven main fishing methods/gear were observed: beach seine, gill nets, fishing weir, handline, longline, baited traps (fish and lobster) and artificial shelters (lobster). Half the fishermen (52%) were aged 31-50 years and most (88%) had over 10 years of experience. The overall level of schooling was low: 78% were illiterate or had not completed elementary school. Many fishermen (55%) were not members of the local fishermenʼs association, and many (60%) were not licensed (RGP) by the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Two thirds (67%) of the local households were beneficiaries of welfare programs for low-income families. The residents in Ilha dos Coqueiros face difficulties similar to those reported for other communities of subsistence fishermen in Ceará and Brazil, characterized by low level of schooling, lack of storage and transportation infrastructure, and the existence of middlemen. The most common violations of fishing regulations were exploitation of undersized lobsters, fishing during the closed season, use of illegal fishing gear and fishing without a license. The effects of the current fisheries management, or lack thereof, were not examined directly in this study, but subsidies are provided for further investigations in this field.