Abstract
BackgroundThe capture of ornamental fish is one of the main economic activities of riverine families in the Amazon. However, studies regarding the local ecological knowledge of workers in this activity are still incipient. In view of this, we have studied and explored the local ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers who specialize in the capture of fish for the aquarium trade in the middle part of the Negro River basin and investigated issues related to the ecological aspects of the fish species that are targeted by this trade in the region.MethodsTherefore, we conducted semi-structured interviews and applied questionnaires to artisanal fishers of ornamental fish (N = 89), from the municipality of Barcelos, from January to April 2016.ResultsIn total, 41 popular names were cited, which correspond to four ethnocategories and 10 families. The main species were Paracheirodon axelrodi (12.5%), Hemigrammus bleheri (8.3%), Ancistrus dolichopterus (6.4%), Symphysodon discus (5.3%), and Potamotrygon motoro (3.8%). According to the fishers, the species of fish known in the region as “piabas” have a preference for living in clusters (28.9%) and carry out migratory movements (26.1%). The diet of local fish species reported by fisheries is diverse, though mainly based on periphyton (42.2%), and the reproductive cycle directly influenced by the period of flooding of rivers in the region (37.6%)ConclusionOur study revealed that the fishers possess information on the ecological aspects of local ornamental fish species, many of which are consistent with scientific literature. The information presented may assist in the decision-making process for the management of local fishery resources and contribute to the resumption of growth and sustainability in the capture of ornamental fish.
Highlights
Ethnoichthyology is an ethnoscience that aims to study the knowledge, use, and meaning of ichthyofauna for different human populations, in regard to behavioral and cognitive aspects [1]
We have studied and explored the local ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers who specialize in the capture of fish for the aquarium trade in the middle part of the Negro River basin, and investigated issues related to the ecological aspects of the fish species that are targeted by this trade in the region
The exploration of ornamental fish in Barcelos started with Herbet Axelrod in 1955, when he visited the region looking for discus fish, probably the Symphysodon discus (Heckel, 1840), but ended up discovering the cardinal tetra P. axeroldi [22]
Summary
Ethnoichthyology is an ethnoscience (a branch of ethnozoology) that aims to study the knowledge, use, and meaning of ichthyofauna for different human populations, in regard to behavioral and cognitive aspects [1]. Ethnoichthyological studies have contributed via new information on the biological and ecological aspects of the target species of tropical fisheries This has been beneficial since data on fishing in coastal and continental areas are often not reliable, and the lack of information hinders the process of decision-making in management plans [6]. In the middle of the Negro River region, this activity is artisanal, selective and practiced by local fishers who are popularly known in the region as “piabeiros”. We have studied and explored the local ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers who specialize in the capture of fish for the aquarium trade in the middle part of the Negro River basin and investigated issues related to the ecological aspects of the fish species that are targeted by this trade in the region
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