Within mangroves along the Northern Brazilian coast, the extraction of crabs is a major activity, both economically and culturally. Mangroves are public domain areas, but the surrounding communities develop forms of appropriation that control access, in response to the growing markets for crabs in the region and beyond. The article analyses these institutions of property and the resulting conflicts, focusing the village Pontinha de Bacuriteua, in the municipality of Bragança, State of Pará. It is based upon qualitative research with ten skilled professionals. After observations and interviews conducted between 2011 and 2012, the study found the existence of temporary territories of work, at the same time the communities share concepts about free access to mangroves. We suggest more research and public debate with the active participation of the workers on the relationship between local territorialities and the sustainable harvesting of crabs. This is an important issue considering that the area is located within a protected area, the Reserva Extrativista Marinha Caeté-Taperaçu.
Small-scale fishing; Common resources; Extractivism; Territory; Territorialities; Bragança
