ABSTRACT
The idea of separation between person and nature, accentuated by current production and consumption models, has generated unthinkable impacts, causing an unprecedented loss and degradation of the global environment. Occupying 13% of the Brazilian territory, the Atlantic Forest is the second-largest tropical rainforest on the American continent; however, it is one of the most threatened biomes in the world, with only 12% of the original cover. In this study, we consider that enabling young people to experience direct contact with nearby natural environments can positively influence their knowledge and feelings about the biodiversity that occurs there, contributing to its protection and conservation for current and future generations. In this study, we explore how teenagers (n = 17) aged between 13 and 17 years old describe and perceive the nearby natural environment before and after an interpretive trail in Una, Bahia, Brazil. Participants were asked to draw the Atlantic Forest with colored pencils on white paper and, based on the drawing, they answered the following questions: "What is in your drawing? and "What is happening in your drawing?," in addition to other information such as the title of the drawing, difficulty of the activity, and sociodemographic aspects. Content analysis was used to analyze the information collected. From the drawings and responses of the participants, categories related to knowledge, experiences, and types of relationships with the visited place emerged. We count the frequency of drawing elements before and after the visit, together with a qualitative analysis of the descriptions of their feelings and meanings attributed to the visit, highlighting the different elements and their relationships. The results showed that, after the trail, the participants manifested bonds of proximity with the visited environment and the organisms protected there, evidencing expressive changes in their perceptions of the person-nature interaction, in the specific knowledge of the visited ecosystem, and in the different forms of relationship provided by the visitation itinerary.
ABSTRACT
Abstract: Ethnobiological studies are necessary to understand the relationships between fishers and cetaceans. The aim of this study was to describe the interactions between cetaceans and artisanal fishers and the possible conflicts that can arise as a result. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from February to September 2017 with 35 fishermen from the municipality of Ilhéus, Brazil. All fishermen reported both positive and negative interactions with Megaptera novaeangliae, Tursiops truncatus and Sotalia guianensis and only negative interactions with Balaenoptera acutorostrata (n=14) and Stenella frontalis (n=4). The positive interactions consisted of playful relationships and collaborative fishing. Negative interactions (bycatch, entanglement, collisions) affect both the fishermen and cetaceans. S. guianensis is the species most affected by bycatch in fishing nets and M. novaeangliae by entanglement and collision with vessels. The results of this study highlight the value of bringing together scientific and fishing communities to understand conflicts by monitoring interactions in order to assess the impact of fishing activity on cetacean populations. Fishers have a positive perception of cetaceans, know the areas where accidents occur and would like to avoid them. They can contribute to research on these animals and to the development of management plans appropriate to the local reality. This points out the need to integrate scientific and local knowledge for the conservation of cetaceans and for the sustainability of fishing practices.
Resumo: Estudos etnobiológicos são necessários para conhecer as relações entre pescadores e cetáceos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi descrever as interações entre cetáceos e pescadores artesanais e possíveis conflitos decorrentes destas. Entrevistas semiestruturadas foram aplicadas de fevereiro a setembro de 2017 a 35 pescadores do município de Ilhéus, Brasil. Todos os pescadores relataram interações positivas e negativas com Megaptera novaeangliae, Tursiops truncatus e Sotalia guianensis e interações somente negativas com Balaenoptera acutorostrata (n=14) e Stenella frontalis (n=4). As interações positivas se referem a relações lúdicas e pesca colaborativa. Interações negativas (emalhe, emaranhamento, colisão) afetam os pescadores e os cetáceos. S. guianensis é a mais afetada por emalhes em redes de pesca e M. novaeangliae por emaranhamento e colisão com embarcações. Os resultados deste estudo destacam o valor de reunir comunidades científicas e pesqueiras para compreender os conflitos através da monitorização das interações, a fim de avaliar o impacto das atividades de pesca nas populações de cetáceos. Os pescadores possuem uma percepção positiva sobre os cetáceos, conhecem as áreas onde ocorrem os acidentes e gostariam de evita-os. Eles podem contribuir para as pesquisas sobre estes animais e a elaboração de planos de manejo adequados a realidade local. Isto aponta a necessidade da integração de conhecimentos científicos e locais para a conservação dos cetáceos e para a sustentabilidade das práticas da pesca.
