Protagonismo da mulher marisqueira: uma análise do saber local pesqueiro no estuário do rio Curu (estado do Ceará)

Abstract

This study characterizes the shellfish harvesting activity carried out in the Curu River, Paracuru, Ceará, by women from local fishing communities. Through semi-structured interviews with 13 shellfish harvesters, complemented by participant observation and mapping techniques, the research aimed to document the local ecological knowledge of these fishers regarding the bioecology and artisanal fishing of shellfish. Additionally, the study sought to identify and map fishing areas, characterize the spatiotemporal distribution of captured species throughout the year, and describe the uses and processing methods of estuarine resources. A total of 12 ethnospecies of shellfish, including bivalve mollusks and crustaceans, were identified, corresponding to at least 22 species. Among them, Crassostrea mangle, Mytella guyanensis, and Anomalocardia flexuosa stood out as the most frequently collected. The activity plays a significant socio-economic role, contributing both to subsistence and income generation. The results indicate that shellfish harvesting faces challenges associated with environmental and anthropogenic changes, such as pollution from untreated effluents and land-use conflicts with activities like shrimp farming and tourism. These factors affect resource availability and quality, forcing harvesters to travel longer distances to maintain financial returns. Furthermore, this practice occurs within a context of social and economic vulnerability, exacerbated by the historical invisibility of women in artisanal fisheries. The research highlights the importance of local knowledge as a tool for natural resource conservation and emphasizes the need for public policies beyond fishery management regulations. Environmental education initiatives and support for traditional communities are essential to ensuring the socio-environmental and economic sustainability of the region.