Ethnoichthyological analysis of artisanal fishing in Uruguay and Jacuí­­ river basins, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

Studies that involve artisanal fishermen’s knowledge are still rare in fluvial regions, mainly in the southern Brazil. The objective of this study is analyze the artisanal fishing in the hydrographic basins of the Uruguai and Jacuí­­-RS rivers and the perception of the fishermen about the situation of these fishing resources. We interviewed 77 fishermen, distributed in four municipalities of each river basin, totaling 154 participants, being acquired information about social-economics of the fisherman, general aspects of the fishing, actual situation and possible threats to fish resources. According to the interviewed fishermen, there were registered 15 fish taxons of commercial interest in these hydrographic basins. There is a big concern of the fishermen with the current situation of the fishing stock in these hydrographic basins. These resources are suffering huge reduction, caused by actions of anthropic origin, in which highlights the environmental degradation due, mainly, to the agricultural and domestic pollution, mining, construction of hydroelectric dam and illegal fishing. Some directions such as efficient inspection, restocking and, specifically in the hydrographic basin of the Uruguai river, the release of fishing the Salminus brasiliensis were suggested by the fishermen to the fishing managers. It is concluded that mitigatory measures must be made, to reduce the decadent situation of these fishing resources.