Etnoictiologia como ferramenta para uma gestão pesqueira participativa e sustentável

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relations between the Ceará coastal fishermen and fisheries resources with respect to the local ecological knowledge (LEK) about fish and fishing techniques. Specifically, we investigated the fishermen from Redonda Beach, in the municipality of Icapui (CE), and the fish species harvested by them. This location was chosen because those fishermen carries on the responsible fishing, that is aligned to the sustainability principles. For data collection, we used qualitative and quantitative methods in the light of ethnoichthyology, which deals with the interactions between humans and fish. The research techniques used in this study were the following: "snowball"sampling ; direct observation, guided tours, open interviews, and semi-structured and structured questionnaires. The survey was applied to the Redonda fishermen and 30 persons from the community. The results showed that Redonda fishermen have practiced artisanal fishing, usually in sailing vessels, using relatively simple tools, and that fishing is an economic, sociocultural and subsistence activity for them. The fish species most havested (and showing higher use value) were cavala (Aconthocybium solandri); biquara (Haemulon plumierii) and serra (Scomberomorus brasiliensis). We suggest that policy measures should be adopted for those species such as minimum harvesting season. The study points out the need for creating spawning season for the Lutjanidae fish family: cioba, dentão, guaiuba, pargo e ariacó. This information is important for developing fisheries resource management and conservation plans, in addition to supporting the decision making to promote the fisheries sustainable management on the coast of Ceará.