Structural and socioeconomic aspects of the artisanal fishery in the Middle and Low Tietê River, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The professional fishery in Middle and Low Tietê River, although an important food and income source to river communities, is not correctly considered in comparison with others increasing in rivers and dams. Their socioeconomic characteristics and the fishery artisanal structure are described and compared between the two regions from data collected in 202 fisherman interviews from May to December/2001. Around 74% of the interviewed people said to have the fishing as exclusive economic activity, while the remaining affirmed working on other activities besides fishing. Results indicate a high fish consumption among fisher’s families (from 120 g person^-1 day^-1). The education level was low (above of 70% had only the incomplete fundamental instruction). The structural and social aspects of fishery were similar between the two regions and distinguished by the fishery strategy and the catched target-species, the productivity (kg/day) and the declared gross-income. Although the role of the intermediate traders seems to be important, this dependence of the fishermen to them can be the main obstacle to the capital accumulation of the "artisanal fisherman†social group.