Biotemas (Mar 2007)
An ethnoecological approach to the fishing of crabs, Ucides cordatus, Linnaeus, 1763, (Decapoda: Brachyura), in the Acupe District (Santo Amaro, Bahia, Brazil) mangrove
Abstract
The crab Ucides cordatus ("Caranguejo-uçá") is one of the most typical inhabitants of mangrove ecosystems in Brazil and it has great socialeconomic importance along the Brazilian northeastern coast. It is an abundant resource that is well accepted commercially, representing a source of employment and income to many traditional subsistence gatherers. Crab fishing is one of the most important activities in Acupe. The aim of this paper is to describe and analyze the cognitive and connective aspects of this practice. Fishermen with at least fifteen years' experience were interviewed. The results showed that the fishermen have a vast knowledge of crab ecology and biology and the mangrove ecosystem's functions. This knowledge influences the optimization of local production because the fishermen's programming and strategies for capture are closely related to crab behavior and the environmental features that determine it. The connection between fishermen and crabs has important implications for conservation because it is closely related to the intensity of capture.
