Dinâmica espacial da pesca em dois afluentes do Rio Negro, Amazonas

Abstract

The fishing activity in Middle Rio Negro is one of the main activities for the economy of the local population. However, this activity receives little attention from the political and social groups in charge of managing socioeconomic policies in the region. This study aimed to analyze the spatial dynamics of fish resources use in Aracá-Demeni system by identifying territoriality of fishermen that use different fishing methods in that system. Information on the socioeconomic profile of artisanal fishermen, the identification of areas of use and fishing conflicts were collected through the application of semi-structured questionnaires, between December 2012 and June 2013. The results show that fishing is an important source of animal protein and income for riverines, complemented by other economic activities. Health services, education and infrastructure are precarious in the riverine communities. Migration is high in the communities studied. The marketing of fish is done directly at Barcelos, where the fish is sold fresh or salty. The boats are characteristic of artisanal fishing - small , with low technological advances, use of motorized canoes and smallscale fishing. Gillnets were the main equipment used by fishermen in all communities. Each community has a preference for a different type of fishing and / or economic activity, but subsistence fishing is performed by all of them. Sport fishermen prefer lakes, while commercial fishermen prefer paranás and hangovers, and those who catch and sell ornamental fish prefer rivers and streams. In Aracá basin, fishermen’s preferred environments were the rivers, streams, channels and hangovers, while in the Demeni basin the preferred environment were the lakes. Subsistence, commercial and sport fishing showed strong territoriality, overlapping in various environments in both basins. Conflicts identified by fishermen were grouped into two types: dispute for the same fish resource and dispute over the same fishing areas. These conflicts occur due to the appropriation of different environments by the different types of fishermen , even though most fishermen recognize the rules of use established. As for the perception of fishermen, most reported a reduction in fish stocks and the increase in the number of sport and commercial fishermen in Aracá-Demeni system. As for the kernel estimator, individual analysis indicated that the Aracá basin was more importantly explored by sport fishing, while the Demeni basin was exploited more equally by fishermen of the four types of fishing. The analysis was consistent, showing the highest intensity of exploitation of fish resources in Demeni basin. We conclude that the territoriality of different types of fishermen acting in Aracá-Demeni system should be included in the management planning of fish resources in order to minimize social, economic and environmental conflicts.