Fish resources management in Brazil and overview of artisanal fisheries in Macaé, RJ

Abstract

The aim of this review is to highlight the sociocultural and environmental importance of artisanal fisheries for the city of Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, providing information about the main artisanal fisheries methods applied by the fishers, a brief history of public policy for fishing in Brazil, and an overview of the economy working relations and fish marketing in that city. Once the definitions of artisanal and industrial fishing are modified according to the State or region, we are consider artisanal fishing, for the purpose of this work, as that practiced by professional fisherman directly, independently, or as family economy, with production means of their own, or through partnership contract, landed, allowing the use of small ships. Five main artisanal fishing methods were detected in Macaé: (i) the line method, (ii) the method of surface longline; (iii) the driftnet method; (iv) the drag; and (v) the method of network seines, or pair. In this analysis, we focused on four major public policy processes which led to setting up a model of fishery management, in which crisis is evident, with an overcoming not yet fully delineated. Since the fishing activity is important for the region, the development of studies able to define the supply chain structuring programs, expansion of investments, creation of a framework for its own staff and, especially aimed at management concepts that can coordinate all activity from production, through processing to marketing, are significant steps to strengthen the fisheries policy in the city of Macaé.