Artisanal fisher knowledge on the impacts of destructive and illegal practices on the Southern Coast of Bahia, Brazil

Abstract

Destructive fishing practices (DFP) and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) activities result in significant marine ecosystem effects, such as habitat destruction, biomass reduction, bycatch, and waste of resources. They also generate socioeconomic impacts on artisanal fisher coastal populations. Both DFP and IUU are linked to fisheries management system failures and the impossibility of marine surveillance. In this context, from an Ethnoecological approach, the aim of this study was to analyze the local ecological knowledge of fishers from Ilhéus (Bahia), Northeastern Brazil, regarding DFP and IUU fisheries. A total of 59 interviewees pointed to decreased resource catches in recent years, citing increasing fishing efforts and certain types of gear as the main reasons. They also claim that local fishers and fishers from other Brazilian regions have been using banned equipment, such as compressors and lobster nets. In turn, although permitted by law, shrimp trawling and gillnet fishing were reported as being excessively applied and identified as destructive fisheries. Surprisingly, longline fishing was one of the most reported as responsible for excessive catches and for causing decreases in Common dolphinfish catches. This study reinforces the importance of including the knowledge of local fishers and their participation to contribute to fisheries management and resource conservation. In this context, some recommendations are highlighted to reduce the impacts of harmful practices and improve regional fisheries management, summarized as: (i) policy improvement; (ii) fishing monitoring; (iii) incentives; and (iv) enforcement.