Fishermen do more than fish: local ecological knowledge of raftsmen about the arboreal species used to construct rafts (Bahia, Brazil)

Isis Leite Medeiros Mascarenhas Andrade,Marcelo Schramm Mielke,Nivaldo Peroni,Alexandre Schiavetti

doi:10.1186/s13002-018-0279-7

Abstract

BackgroundTraditional raft (jangada), piúba wood raft (jangada de pau de piúba), six-log raft (jangada de seis paus), and wooden raft (jangada de pau) are some of the names given to the traditional Brazilian watercrafts created from the buoyancy of bound logs. The traditional raft is a watercraft used and built by artisan fishermen who have, throughout generations, kept and improved knowledge related to this practice and the use of the plant species they need as raw materials. Active groups of these fishermen and their watercrafts are distributed along 200 km of the coast of the state of Bahia. The fishermen interviewed in this study are at the southern limit of distribution for the use of this type of vessel.MethodsThis study aimed to characterize the use of the arboreal species applied in the construction of the traditional raft in the municipalities of Uruçuca, Ilhéus, and Canavieiras in the southern State of Bahia, Brazil. For this purpose, structured and semi-structured interviews were individually conducted with 36 fishermen, and walking tours were conducted with specialists in the construction of the watercraft.ResultsWe observed that the raftsmen use 21 species to construct the traditional raft. The features of the wood, such as density, flexibility, and availability, are the main criteria applied to choose the arboreal species. Some species are preferred, such as pau de jangada (Apeiba tibourbou) and biriba (Eschweilera ovata), which are the most frequently employed in watercraft manufacturing.ConclusionsThe southern Bahia population is familiar with the different tree species that are linked to their fishing activities. The main link between the fishermen and the useful species is present in the practice of raft construction. Currently, the restricted access to raw materials limits this practice, which consequently results in the cultural erosion of this community.

Highlights

The ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers about the environment in which they fish is already well documented
With an understanding of the cultural importance of the raft as a traditional watercraft used by a group of experienced fishermen, this study aimed to evaluate how arboreal species are used in the construction of traditional rafts by groups of raftsmen settled in the southern region of the state of Bahia
Socioeconomic characterization and knowledge related to fishing with a traditional raft All interviewees were male with an average age of 50 years

Summary

Introduction

The ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers about the environment in which they fish is already well documented. The production of fishing technologies relies on the choice of the plant species adapted to the ecological and cultural conditions related to fishing. The traditional raft is a watercraft used and built by artisan fishermen who have, throughout generations, kept and improved knowledge related to this practice and the use of the plant species they need as raw materials. Active groups of these fishermen and their watercrafts are distributed along 200 km of the coast of the state of Bahia. The fishermen interviewed in this study are at the southern limit of distribution for the use of this type of vessel

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion