Artisanal fishing in the municipality of Guarapari, state of Espírito Santo, Brazil: An approach to the perception of fishermen working in small-scale fishing

Abstract

In the municipality of Guarapari, Espírito Santo (ES), southeastern Brazil, artisanal fishing is practiced along the coastline. The objective of this study is to describe the fishing activity practiced in the municipality of Guarapari (ES), southeastern Brazil based on the perception of artisanal fishermen. Ethnographic interviews were individually conducted by applying semistructured questionnaires through dialog with fishermen working in the region (n = 80). Information was also obtained through participant and direct observations recorded in a field diary. Data were organized into categories and analyzed using the triangulation method and descriptive statistics. All interviewees were men aged between 27 and 77 years and had a low level of schooling; fishing experience varied between 3 and 60 years. According to the fishermen, line, gillnet, harpoon and trawl line are the most commonly used. Fishing is developed along the coast of this municipality, especially in the areas near Três Ilhas, Rasas Islands and Escalvada Island, southeastern Brazil. In the perception of the interviewees, fishing is one of the main sectors of the local economy.

Keywords:
Artisanal fisherman; Traditional knowledge; Mesoregion of Espírito Santo