Indicação geográfica e sustentabilidade local: o potencial produtivo da lagosta no município de Icapuí-Ceará

Abstract

Geographical Indication (IG) is a market instrument granted to products that embody specific characteristics related to the geography of a territory, distinguished in two forms: Indication of Source (IP) and Designation of Origin (DO). These forms emerge as a strategy to protect and value local culture and production, preserving product integrity and promoting the economic and social development of the regions involved. To understand IG and its interrelation with environmental sustainability, territorial development, and the preservation of local traditions, this study aimed to analyze lobster production as a sustainable productive potential for IG recognition in the municipality of Icapuí, Ceará. The specific objectives were: to investigate the implications of implementing IGs, their limitations, and possibilities; to evaluate the territorial organization of fishing activities, their flows, current production, fishing areas, fishing effort, seasonality, and lobster commercialization in Icapuí (CE); to identify the environmental, social, and cultural elements in the communities studied that could enable the recognition of lobster as a IG product; and to propose a sustainable managerial model to foster public policies that support the recognition of lobster as either an IP or DO product, respecting the environmental, social, and cultural aspects and the specificities of this product. The research was applied in nature, with exploratory and descriptive objectives. Its approach was qualitative, focusing on attributive data in the interpretation of phenomena and meanings. Data collection involved field visits, interviews, and participant observation to understand the territorial organization of fishing, as well as to characterize the environmental components linked to the productive lifestyle, family economy, and sustainable lobster management practices. For data analysis, Content Analysis as proposed by Bardin (2011) was employed, categorizing the results into four thematic dimensions: environmental and ecological dimension; socio-economic and cultural dimension; territorial management dimension; and governance and public policy dimension. The results demonstrated that the environmental dimension is central to the recognition of lobster as a IG. The preservation of critical habitats, such as the mangroves of Barra Grande and the algal banks of Cajuais, is essential to ensure the sustainability of stocks and the continuity of artisanal fishing practices. Moreover, governance emerged as a strategic dimension in the recognition process through the establishment of community leaderships, the strengthening of representative entities, and the participatory elaboration of technical instruments.