Territórios e Conflitos nas Pescarias do Médio Rio Negro (Barcelos, Amazonas, Brasil)

Abstract

Our main objectives in this study were to identify territories, areas appropriation and conflicts between fishery resources users in the Medium Negro River and characterize the several fishing practices in the region. Studies took place in the city of Barcelos and in the focal area of Bafuana including the communities of Daracuá, Baturité, Cumaru and São Luís, in the municipality of Barcelos. Data were collected between January and November 2006 through structured and semi-structured interviews, participating observation and inventory of information with key-informers. Four different fisheries kinds occur in the Medium Negro River: subsistence fishery, commercial edible fishery, commercial ornamental species fishery and, sportive fishery. Fishermen of Medium Negro River are part of a multiple resource use system, commonly working with more than one type of fishing. In the focal Bafuana area the studied communities showed territory defense strategies and informal appropriation of fishery areas. Conflicts identified in the Bafuana area involved subsistence fishery, commercial edible fishery and sportive fishery and occurred only during summer , when there is a spatial and temporal over position of different kinds of fishery. Conflicts identified were not nor violent or strong but showed the weak or absent organization of local institutions. New conflicts are emerging in other areas of the Medium Negro River showing that these processes are dynamic. Co-management through fishery agreements is the best model used in the region to mitigate these conflicts. We conclude that success of these agreements depends on the strengthening of local institutions to overcome differences regarding power during discussions and negotiations. Also their legitimate demands must be considered.