Estrutura, dinâmica e economia da pesca comercial do baixo Amazonas

Abstract

The objective of this study is to characterize the fishermen and the fishing fleet of the Lower Amazon. The study is based on data collected from 3.144 boats operating out of the four main ports of Santarém. An economic analysis of the activities of these boats is based on fifty two interviews conducted specifi cally for that purpose. Results show that larger and smaller boats use essentially the same technology but significant differences exist in terms of fishing strategy. Smaller boats supply local markets, and their catches comprise a greater variety of fi sh species. Larger boats tend to specialize in a number of species of catfish, and generally supply fish processing plants. Smaller boats are less efficient in terms of CPUE (Kg/Fisherman/Day) but they are more economically efficient, earning more for each unit of money invested than larger boats. Most boats operating from Santarém have a storage capacity of less than 4t. This class size boat is thus an important source of food, income, and employment for Santarém and the surrounding region.