saberes tradicionais e percepção ambiental dos catadores de - Uesc

CRAB CATCHERS’ TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL
PERCEPTION ABOUT GUAIAMUM, Cardisoma guanhumi (LATREILLE, 1825), IN
THE COUNTY OF CANAVIEIRAS, BAHIA, BRAZIL.
ABSTRACT
This study focus on crab catchers’ empirical knowledge and environmental
perceptions about guaiamum, Cardisoma guanhumi, in the county of Canavieiras,
Bahia, Brazil. The main objective of this study was to describe the traditional
knowledge of catchers about the guaiamum, focusing on their ecological knowledge
about the species’ biology. This research expects to contribute to Cardisoma
guanhumi preservation, and, consequently, to the welfare of human population
involved in crab’s catching and/or commercialization. In order to achieve the main
goal proposed, we present a subdivision into sub themes, as it follows: 1. social and
economical characterization; 2. traditional knowledge about catching crabs; storage
process; commercialization process; and considerations about the species.
Partnerships with the Z-20 fisherman association, the NGO ECOTUBA and the
Canavieiras City Hall were established. Primary data was collected related to socioeconomical
characterization of the activity of catching guaiamum and its dynamic
(carried out with catchers); as well as related to the storage and commercialization
(carried out with catchers and owner of bars in the beach). This study has revealed
the socio-economic stagnation of guaiamum’s catcher population, whose monthly
income is inferior to the minimum wage. The techniques used by catchers and
reported in this study were the ones called “ratoeira” and “capim”, considered both
selective and sustainable strategies. It was noted that catchers and owners of bars in
the beach were not concerned to the quality of the crab meat sold to the consumer,
since the guaiamum is not submitted to a de-intoxication process while it is kept in
captivity. The aim of keeping the crab in captivity is just to put in weight, while it is not
commercialized. The study also noted that the presence of middleman, in more
difficult access communities, had a straight influence on the prize to
commercialization of guaiamum; after the negotiation between catchers and owners
of beach bars, the final consumer may be charged with 200% rate over the initial
value of the product. It was also noted that the catchers reveal a refined knowledge
on the biology of guaiamum and the environmental phenomenon which is related to
it.
Keywords: Crab catchers; Guaiamum; Mangrove; Environmental perception;
Cardisoma guanhumi
x