Maré, mangue e marisco: etnoecologia da pesca artesanal de crustáceos na comunidade do Angolá (RESEX Marinha da Baia do Iguape), Maragojipe - Bahia

Abstract

Mangroves are ecosystems in transition between land and marine environments, subject to the tide cycles that occur in the sheltered coastal regions, presenting favorable conditions for the feeding, protection, and the reproduction of many groups of animals, like crustaceans. The crustaceans, along with the molluscs and fish, form the most important group of fishing resources for the survival of the human population in mangrove areas. This ecosystem is abundant in the Extractive Marine Reserve of the Iguape Bay, where there is a community of fishermen from Angolá, located in the peripheral zone in the town of Maragojipe, in the Bahian Reconcavo area. Ethnoecology has been considered an important methodological tool in the studies of human interactions with other elements of nature. Therefore, an ethnoecology approach was used to understand the relationship between the fishermen from the Angolá community, the environment, and their fishing resources, focusing on the knowledge and traditional practices involved in the craft of fishing crustaceans. The informant’s samples were defined by the native specialists and extended by the snowball sampling technique. Initially, non-structured interviews were done, followed by semistructured interviews with 42 fishermen. Field observation was also used, as well as guided tours and participative mapping, beyond the visual ethnography. The knowledge of the fishing professionals showed a direct relationship to their practices, and diverse catching techniques and strategies were registered in the fishing of crustaceans, used for different environments where the species can be found. The fishermen demonstrated established knowledge of classification, habitat, trophic niche, morphology, physiology, and the relationships of the resources with abiotic factors of the mangrove ecosystem in the Iguape bay, presenting strong connections to scientific literature. The fishermen have perceived factors that have been causing decreases in the stocks of resources in the last few years, revealing the necessity for the organization and planning of fishing in the region, with the creation of a sustainable management plan for the RESEX of the Iguape Bay. Therefore, the fishermen will become fundamental participants in the construction of these sustainable strategies for the reserve.