(“The swimming crab works hard!” A comprehensive ethnoecological approach to traditional fishing pratices of a crustacean assembly in the mangrove of Acupe, Santo Amaro, Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Mangrove are highly productive ecosystems and, therefore, they are utilized by many traditional populations that survive on shellfish´s catching and artisanal fishery, like those who live in Acupe District, located in Santo Amaro, in the west coast of the Todos os Santos Bay (Bahia State, Northeast Brazil). Many resources are exploited locally, such as a crustacean group named “siris” (swimming crabs). The objective of this work was to study the swimming crab fishery under the Marques’ comprehensive ethnoecological approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fishermen in order to know thinkings (knowledges and beliefs) and behaviors involved in this exploitation modality. Direct observation of the informants’ daily working activities was also accomplished. The results were analyzed with a combined etic-emic approach by comparing folk and scientific knowledge. The observed traditional behaviors were correlated to possible environmental implications. It was observed that the exploitation is locally adapted to this scenario and it has, possibly, ethnoconservationist implications. The fishermen showed to have a significant knowledge about classification, trophic ecology, morphology, physiology, phenology, as well about
mangrove ecosystem dynamics. In some case, this knowledge was compatible to those accepted by academic ones.