GEO Brasil - UNEP

quality of the post-larvae, and the availability of propitious
areas (BNB, 2001 and Madrid, 2001)
An integrated form of responsible development of
aquaculture has also found its way in the culture of bivalve
molluscs, despite its recent introduction in Brazil The
production of mangrove oysters (Crassostrea rhizophorae),
Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas), and lions-paw scallops
(Nodipecten nodosus) began in the late 70’s, 80’s, and
90’s, respectively The national mussel production in 2000
was 2,500 tonnes and the oyster production was 13 million
dozens In the specific case of mussels, the national
cultivated production in 1990 was only 120 tons, whereas
today Brazil is the greatest American producer The State
of Santa Catarina is the one that best represents this sector:
there are 1,050 producers, organised in 18 associations
and 4 co-operatives (Proença, 1999)
The diagnoses and prospects that derive from the studies
on Brazilian aquaculture demonstrate that this will be one
of the most important activities in the next few years, thus
contributing to the development of competitiveness and
sustainability of Brazilian agribusiness These data, added
to the vastness of its territory, make Brazil the country
with the greatest potential for aquaculture fishery
(Castagnolli, 1996)
2 Extractive Marine Fishery
In Brazil, fish is one of the four biggest sources of animal
protein for human consumption Additionally, the last
estimates indicate that this activity is responsible for the
generation of 800,000 direct jobs, not to mention the
approximately 300 industrial companies engaged in
catching and the processing fish However, official
indicators only consider such aspects as small production
support infrastructure, industrial park, fishery marketing
and distribution, and labour force to be involved in national
extractive fishery They claim this activity is hardly
expressive in the country’s socio-economic context Still,
in terms of generating jobs and food for a contingent of
Brazilians who live on the coast and near rivers, the real
importance of this activity can be verified (actually, fishery
is one of the few activities that absorbs man power with
little or no qualification, both rural and urban –
representing, in some cases, the only job opportunity for
certain groups of individuals, especially among the socially
excluded population) These facts demonstrate that
Brazilian fishery is a basic component of Brazilian socioeconomy
In regard to maritime fishery in Brazil, it can be classified
according to its purpose or economic category as follows:
amateur fishery, subsistence fishery, artisan or small-scale
fishery, and industrial fishery
Amateur fishery is practised throughout the Brazilian
coast for tourism, leisure or sport, and the product of the
activity cannot be commercialised or industrialised
Subsistence fishery is performed with the objective of
obtaining food; it has no commercial purpose and uses
rudimentary techniques (Dias-Neto & Dornelles, 1996)
Artisan (or small-scale) fishery includes both
subsistence catches, associated to obtaining food for the
participants’ families, as well as the essentially commercial
fishery It can also be a seasonal alternative for those who
are engaged in agricultural practices during part of the
year - fisherman/farmer (Dias-Neto & Dornelles, 1996)
Diegues (1983) claims that artisan or small-scale fishery
has its bases on the family unit, or on a neighbourhood
group One of its characteristics is the fact that the
producers own their means of production (nets, hooks
etc)
Diegues (op cit) subdivides business/industrial fishery
the state of environment in Brazil
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