This study established a profile of social representations by inhabitants in three locations in Camamu Bay (state of Bahia) of the Phylum Porifera. Among other reasons, the focus on Porifera is due to its significant biomass ascertained in the bay region's migration phenomenon and the lack of research on these animals in education. The methodology used was based on social representations because when knowledge is (re)built from experience of a location with a characteristic profile is compared to scientific knowledge, it is possible to draw perspectives for Science education, such as the epistemological obstacles to the learning of scientific concepts. Sixty semi-structured interviews were carried out, twenty in each place (Ilha do Contrato, Barra Grande, and Ilha dos Tubarões). The gathered data was organized into categories that outlined a profile of knowledge that includes characteristics such as seasonality, animism, behavior, classification, physiology, and anthropic utility.
Camamu bay; Fishermen; Porifera; Science education
