Artisanal fishing and the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) in Southern Brazil: ethnoecology from the fishing practice

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the ethnoecology of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) using the traditional knowledge of artisanal fishermen in the villages of Peças Island (VPI) and Superagui Island (VSI) in the World Heritage listed Paranaguá Estuarine Complex, Brazil. Between March and September 2012, 90 fishermen were interviewed (VPI – 40; VSI – 50) using a semi-structured questionnaire. Using Fuzzy logic (MATLAB 7.6) it was verified the species is easily recognized by body size, colour and occurrence area (VPI – 87.5%; VSI – 38.0%). Fishermen most frequently identified adults and young franciscanas in groups of two to five individuals (VPI – 40.0%; VSI – 58.0%). Adults were sighted throughout the year, while the young were restricted to summer and winter. Five common behavioural ethno categories were described: ‘eat’ (VPI – N = 15; VSI – N = 1); ‘float/sink/dive’ (VPI – N = 34; VSI – N = 12); ‘breathe’ (VPI – N = 11; VSI – N = 5); ‘mothers surrounding the shoal, play caught up and the youth captures’ (suggesting care parental related with feeding of infant) (VPI – N = 1; VSI – N = 2); and ‘to play’ (VPI – N = 6; VSI – N = 1). The information from the fishermen highlights the use of the area by franciscana for feeding and reproduction and these data are comparable with the literature. These results extend the knowledge about the species in an area of ecological interest and the traditional knowledge, but also illustrate the benefits of engaging fishermen to promote collaboration in scientific and management processes.