An Environmental Education and Communication Project on Migratory Fishes and Fishing Communities

Sara Costa Carvalho,Antonio García-Vinuesa,Mário Jorge Pereira,Heitor Oliveira Braga,Beatriz Fonte,Sofia De Santa-Maria,Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro

doi:10.3390/educsci11070337

Abstract

This study aims at evaluating the environmental education (EE) and communication intervention for the valorization of migratory fish resources in an estuary of northern Portugal. The EE component intervention was implemented among Middle School pupils of that region. Students’ knowledge was quantitatively evaluated with an experimental approach of pre-testing and post-testing, on the ocean and estuarine literacy (OEL) and biology of migratory species, such as sea lamprey. This study also analyzes the communication component developed via social media. Results of the EE component show an evident increment of OEL (p < 0.05). It is also highlighted that students had previous knowledge on issues that are not covered in the curriculum. Social media has shown to be an effective communication tool mostly among the scientific community (e.g., Ethnobiology). The research has various implications to OEL since it brings a new perspective towards the integration of ocean literacy in formal education; as well as the valorization of Students’ local ecological knowledge and of inter-generational dynamics. This study contributed to promoting local biodiversity, OEL, and participatory local governance of these ecosystems.

Highlights

Diadromous migratory fish species that constitute important fishery resources for local fishing communities and local economies [1,2], face threats from the sea, estuaries, and riverine basins [3,4]
Sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus Linnaeus, 1758 and allis shad, Alosa alosa Linnaeus, 1758 are anadromous fish species that migrate from marine to freshwater habitats to spawn and complete their life cycle [4]
The results offered of the two statistical tests strengthen and deepen the outcomes obtained

Summary

Introduction

Diadromous migratory fish species that constitute important fishery resources for local fishing communities and local economies [1,2], face threats from the sea, estuaries, and riverine basins [3,4]. In the Minho River Region, the sea lamprey fisheries support the local economy and play an important sociocultural role [1,2]. In this area, “Fishers shared a vast informal knowledge of sea lamprey zoology and ecology It is of critical importance to preserve this knowledge for future generations and for conservation biology purposes [1,2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion