Artisanal fishing and cetaceans that occur in eastern coast of Rio de Janeiro: an ethnoecological approach to verify the existence of traditional management

Abstract

The fishing activity practiced in Cabo Frio, eastern coast of Rio de Janeiro State, and its interaction with cetaceans by the fishermen’s perception were described, as well as was checked if traditional management actions are developed to minimize the possible negative interactions between fisheries and these animals. From July to November 2012, 45 ethnographic interviews were conducted with local fishermen. The fishermen are male, aged predominantly between 34 to 51 years old, and with low formal scholarity level. Line types (hand line and long line) were preferably used as fishing artifacts and the main products were teleost fish (demersal and pelagic). All fishermen interviewed reported the occurrence of cetaceans in the region. Whales are sighted mainly in the summer time, when their presence is related to food availability according to fishermen, and in winter and spring time due the migratory movements, that include this region as a route. Dolphins occur throughout the year and their presence is related to food availability. All reports of interactions between cetaceans and fisheries were classified as negative. Interactions with fishing artifacts and boats collision were mentioned only by 24% (n = 11) and 4% (n = 2) of the interviewed, to whales and dolphins respectively. Despite the high overlap between fishing areas and animals occurrence, there was not verified traditional management actions considering the cetaceans. This reflects the low negative interaction between fishing activity and these animals in the region.