Relationship between fish guilds, fishing gear and fishing grounds based on traditional knowledge of the Amazonian Central fishers

Abstract

The knowledge of the Amazonian riverine people can be used to identify fishing strategies that are related to the fish species, types of fishing gear and fishing grounds. The data utilized in this research were obtained from structured questionnaires applied to inhabitants of Paciência e Baixio floodplain islands. A Correspondence Analysis based on 22 ethno-species, caught with 10 distinct fishing gears and grouped in trophic guilds, was employed to explore the relationships. Gillnet was the more generalist fishing gear. The preferred fishing ground shows strong correlations with caught species by its feeding habit. The detritivorous fish were caught in bigger number in river environment and flooded areas, and the omnivorous fish were caught in the flooded forest. The lakes were frequent environment to catch carnivorous and detritivorous fishes with sedentary behavior.