Percepção ambiental de adolescentes sobre o manejo do pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) no interior do Amazonas

Abstract

In order to contribute to the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) management plan in the interior of Amazonas, a case study is proposed, with the objective of analyzing the environmental perceptions of adolescents who live and live in a community - located in the vicinity of a lake in Itacoatiara, Amazonas - which has developed the participatory management of pirarucu. To achieve this goal, a qualitative investigation with a descriptive and exploratory approach was carried out, based on a multi-method strategy. To identify the adolescents' perception, data collection was carried out through the elaboration of a mental map and semi-structured interview. In the data analysis technique, categorization was used, which consists of classifying elements into categories according to previously defined criteria. This analysis found that most adolescents presented a socio-environmental vision through elements that weave different meanings and that contribute to the very history of the São João do Araçá community. It was also observed that they listed anthropic or built elements to represent the environment. Most of the adolescents presented knowledge about the biology and ecology of the pirarucu, and knew how to identify the main threats to the life of these fish. In general, adolescents knew about the management practice that takes place in this community; on the other hand, few were able to argue about what fishing management would actually be. Therefore, the importance of disseminating information on species conserved in riverside communities and providing opportunities for changing adolescents' perceptions is emphasized here. In this perspective, Environmental Education emerges as a mediator and as an effective way to teach and learn, raise awareness and guarantee a better world, environmentally preserved and socially fair for future generations.