Social and environmental dynamic in the coastal Fishing Village (Eastern Amazonian, Pará, Brazil)

Abstract

This study describes the social, economic and environmental aspects of a fishing community “Vila dos Pescadores” situated in the Caeté River Estuary, northeastern Pará (Brazil). The methodology adopted in this study was based on interviews, questionnaires and direct observations to characterize some social, economic and environmental aspects and on monitored of beach profile to know the local coastal dynamic. Results show that the majority of the interviewed are between 18-35 years (50.97%), are fishermen (62.13%), married (68.93%), with elementary school not completed (77.67%), live with the family (2-4 persons, 39.85%) in their own houses (86.89%) and earn monthly less than one salary (95.63%). The majority of the people has been living in the village for 10 years or more (42.71%) and do not like their current social, economic and environmental situation. The village has some environmental problems such as coastal erosion and serious service and infrastructure problems (e.g. little or total absence of public transports, public telephones, garbage collectors, public illumination, drinking water, basic sanitary facilities, underdeveloped commercial area, sport area, health post, police post, car parking, lifeguard, school, among others). The absence of employment opportunities is another problem, being the fisheries the main source of income in the village. On the other hand, the exuberant nature, the equatorial weather, the tranquility and the large amount of fish are the main positive aspects according to the opinion of those interviewed.

Keywords

• aspectos sociais
• aspectos ambientais
• comunidade de pescadores
• litoral amazônico
• social aspects
• environmental aspects
• fishing community
• amazonian littoral