Ethnoclimatology of Artisanal fishermen: Interference in coastal fishing in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Artisanal fishermen use ethnoclimatologic knowledge to make prognoses that ensure the achievement of successful fishing, under safe conditions. This study aims to analyze the ethnoclimatologic knowledge of artisanal fishermen in southeastern Brazil from nature signs and weather indicators, identifying the interference of these signals and natural events on the coastal environment and the artisanal fishery. Between October and November 2016, 80 ethnographic interviews were conducted with fishermen based at the Farol de São Thomé port (22°02′S), and the results were analyzed with triangulation and SWOT methods. Most fishermen (97.5%, n = 78) observe the micro and mesoclimatic conditions, oceanographic, and astronomical conditions prior to fishing to avoid “bad weather” and to be successful in catching fish. The fishermen (96.2%, n = 77) indicate “storm swells” that damage the vessels and cause erosion; and the “sea-level advancement and retreat” that reaches in the local of berthing of vessels and the coastline and the buildings on the seashore. They suggested solutions for the protection of the coastline from these natural events: i) the use of ethnoclimatologic knowledge by the public authorities and local managers, made possible through meetings between the interested parties; and ii) periodic maintenance of the breakwater located at the exit of the Flechas Channel for better control of the inflow and outflow of seawater within the channel. The combination of ethnoclimatologic and scientific knowledge in southeastern Brazil can provides subsidies to the National Plan of Coastal Management of Brazil, providing resilience to the artisanal fishing in the region.