The monsarás District community on the island of marajó: Its affinity with artisanal fishing and the environment

Artisanal fishing is an activity of great importance in Brazil and the Amazon, mainly for the generation of income and source of subsistence. The objective of this research is to characterize the artisanal fisheries of the Monsaráscommunity on Ilha do Marajó and to identify the relationships between these activities and factors related to the environment. The methodology was based on the application of a questionnaire to artisanal fishermen in this community and to carry out local observations. The results show that fishing in Monsarás is carried out throughout the year, from Monday to Friday and can last 6, 12 and even 24 hours a day. The species of greatest value and the most caught are the yellow hake (Cynoscionacoupa) and the golden hake (Brachyplatystomarousseauxii). Labor relations take place through the partnership system and the production of fish is traded in the community itself or to a middleman who works at the place that resells the fish, mainly in the Ver-o-peso market in Belém. Environmental laws known in Monsarás are those related to compliance with the rules of the closed season. Artisanal fishing is characterized by an activity that requires few fishing gear, small vessels and that cause low environmental impact.