Ethnoichthyology of fishermen community from the Praia da Penha, in João Pessoa City, Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

The interaction of human populations with natural resources mainly related to the perception of the knowledge and the various uses of these resources are the basis for ethnoecological knowledge. The addresses of this research are based on folk knowledge of artisanal fishers of the community of Praia da Penha, in João Pessoa City, Paraíba, Brazil, in order to analyze, through an exploratory case study, the knowledge of ichthyological community is investigated by performing a detailed description quali-quantitatively. Artisanal male fishers, older than 18 years old were interviewed. The results showed that 95% of the fishermen produce artisanal fishing activities in the community, the average of their age are around 48.2 years old and they represent the economic mainstay in their families and strong family ties reinforce the core traditions of local fishing. The main methods of capturing cited by respondents were handline fishing and the sunk fixed gillnets. Of 192 folk species mentioned, 19 are considered relevant to the community, especially yellowtail snapper (Lutjanus analis), largetooth sawfish (Scomberomorus brasilliensis), king mackerel (Scomberomorus cavalla), common dolphin (Coryphaena hippurus), redfish (Lutjanus purpureus), tuna (Thunnus spp.), smalltooth weakfish (Cynoscion leiarchus), commom halfbeak (Hyporhamphus unifasciatus), Atlantic thread herring (Opisthonema oglinum), triggerfish (Balistes capriscus) and garfish (Strongylura marina). This research reveals that the community of artisanal fishers from Praia da Penha has an extensive ichthyological knowledge, not yet explored in its full possibilities.