Gathering techniques and productive chain of mangrove crab in the northern Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

This study describes the gathering techniques and the production chain of mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus Linnaeus, 1763) in the communities of Atafona and Gargaú, whose activities are done in the mangrove of Paraí­­ba do Sul River estuary, north of Rio de Janeiro. Data were obtained between March and October/2012 from 66 interviews with local gatherers. The activity is mostly performed by women with low scholarity level, through techniques named as "braceamento" or arm method, "redinha" or net method, and "mão" or hand method. In general, between 100 and 200 crabs/gatherer are daily captured, with preference for males with carapace width greater than 6.0 cm. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) of each gatherer in Atafona and Gargaú was 21.9 and 12.5 crabs hour^-1, respectively. In Atafona, the production chain is simpler, composed by gatherer (producer) and final consumer. In Gargaú there is higher number of gatherers and the production chain is composed by gatherer (producer), first purchaser (intermediate), second purchaser (restaurants) and final consumer. The monthly income varied between seasons, with higher values in summer. In Atafona, the estimated income per gatherer ranged from R$ 680.00 to R$ 2,720.00, and in Gargaú, R$ 400.00 to R$ 1,600.00. Co-management plans, with the participation of gatherers and cooperatives for storage and market the production, are measures that can improve the life quality of these communities and ensure sustainability of the activity.