Ethnoichthyology of artisanal fishing community from Guaibim Beach, Valença (BA), Brazil

Abstract

This study investigates the knowledge of fishermen from Guaibim Beach, Valença, Bahia, Brazil on species of fish found in that area. In January 2005, 34 fishermen over 20 years old, who live and work in that area for at least 20 years, were interviewed about the ethnoecology and ethnoictiology aspects of 38 species of fish. The fishermen identified the 38 species of fish with a total of 113 folk monomials or folk generic names, and 38 specific binomials. Using fish pictures shown during the interviews, they also formed 11 different groups, called ethnofamilies, which are classified as relatives or cousins. The results show that fishermen have a detailed knowledge on nomenclature and classification of the species studied as well as on the ecology of fish, describing the habitat, diet, behavior and the utilities (consumption and / or sale) of these species. In several aspects, the local ecological knowledge is similar to scientific knowledge about ecology and classification of the species. However, differences between these two forms of knowledge are noticed in the criteria used in folk taxonomy (behavior, for instance). The study of local ecological knowledge is an important source of information about fish ecology. It can be investigated through biological research, in order to contribute to a more efficient management of fishing programs in Brazil.

Key words: Ethnobiology, ehnoichthyology, artisanal fishermen, marine fish, Atlantic Forest Coast, Brazil.