Rio Formoso

Top environmental challenge faced by the community (currently or in the past 10 years):

In recent years, the estuarine ecosystem has suffered from several anthropogenic impacts that have been responsible for the decline of fishing resources. In particular, the pollution from sugar cane monocultures (the main impact being the improper dumping of pesticides that are leached into the river) and the lack of treatment of domestic sewage that is dumped directly into the river by the Pernambuco sanitation company. In addition, a disorderly growth of tourism has created a surplus flow of leisure boats that pollute the estuary and damage fishers' boats and their fishing nets. The silting of the river from mangrove deforestation and overfishing, are also issues of great concern.

How the environmental challenge has affected local livelihoods:

The first consequence of these impacts is the decline in the availability of fishing resources to the community. This reduces the income of fishers who then seek to supplement it with other activities. Pollution is mainly responsible for this decline, although contamination of the fisheries is a wicked problem also concerning food security and nutrition. This is especially true in the upper areas of the estuary, where the fish are not fit to consume. In addition, there is an increase of the younger generation who have been looking for more profitable lifestyles, including tourism.

Community response to the challenge, through environmental stewardship (conservation) initiatives that improve environmental well-being and support sustainable livelihoods:

Not all fishers are associated with the existing Association, but the work by the Association’s Directorate is very important for the maintenance of fishing activities and for the ecosystem conservation. Through this mobilization, the demands from the community are discussed on a monthly basis, such as the creation of a Marine Protected Area (Extractive Reserve – RESEX) in the estuary, which will help to defend this small-scale fishing territory. Through the Association, fishers mobilize themselves against invasions of their territories by private property, adequate treatment of sewage, and discuss issues such as less predatory fishing techniques. The community has already participated in extension activities with NGOs and with the Tropical Marine Ichthyology Group (IMAT) of the Federal University of Pernambuco. The latter sought to conduct a survey of water quality and provided room for discussing issues for the estuary conservation. In addition, IMAT has carried out a number of research activities on the community, highlighting its history and culture, environmental problems, diversity and decline of fishing resources and fishers' participation in the Council of protected areas.

The extent to which the response was successful or otherwise:

The community has already benefited from some federal and state public policies that have brought fishing boats and gear to the members of the Fishers Association. However, for several years the community has been struggling to implement an extractive reserve (RESEX), supported by the policies of the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), which has not been facilitated by the Government, discouraging, and weakening the colony's articulation. Fishermen have also complained about the lack of clarity and explanation about public fishing policies, such as the Law of fishery fenced seasons.

Extent to which governmental policy (at local, regional or national levels, as relevant) has supported, or been contrary to, the community's responses to the environmental challenge:

Organized civil society has been seeking justice, and a greater and better understanding for territorial ownership rights of traditional communities. In the case of fisheries, a recently launched Bill of Popular Initiative in defense of the "Fishing Territory" has stated, among others, the "recognition, protection and guarantee of the right to the territory of traditional fishing communities", consistent with a historical-based approach. It is believed, therefore, to create tools that allow citizens to present proposals of norms for life in society, for the enhancement of fishing rights and for the modification of a situation that causes harm to the community or a certain group. This is an important step in the defense of better system performance which fosters the traditional fishing communities' way of life and an environment that is ecologically balanced.

Keywords: Ecosystem

Agricultural, Mangrove

Keywords: Resources

Fish

Keywords: Big Issues

Biodiversity, Environmental law, Pollution, Resource use, Urbanization

Keywords: Solutions

Empowerment, Governance/Management, Local/Traditional knowledge, Protected areas, User-rights

Contributed by: Tropical Marine Ichthyology Group (Grupo de Ictiologia Marinha Tropical - IMAT)

The information provided and opinions expressed above are the responsibility of the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the views and analysis of the Community Conservation Research Network (CCRN), nor those of all members of the community described.

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