The freshwater fishery based on peacock bass Cichla spp. (Perciformes, Cichlidae) on the reservoir in the tucuruí­­ hydroelectric dam, in the Tocantins river, Pará State

Abstract

This study describes the freshwater fishery based on peacock bass ("tucunaréâ€Â), Cichla spp., in the lower Tocantins River, Pará state, northern Brazil, on the reservoir of the Tucuruí­­ hydroelectric dam with relation to fishing gear, fishing strategies, utilized environments, seasonality, and social and economic appearances from the fishery. Interviews with fishermen and participation observation were conducted in situ. The Tucurui reservoir peacock bass fishery is of great importance in the social and economic life of these fishermen. This fishery occurs in specific places in the lake and uses rudimentary methods and equipment. According to the fisherman, production is influenced by environmental variables and by the use of guild nets, that the fishermen say drives away peacock bass from the fishing environments. The use of environments for fishing is the main source of conflict among fishermen. Social relations among fishermen in a system of partnership and the presence of middlemen diminish the fisherman’s income.