The effects of river impoundment on artisanal fishers in the Middle Tocantins River, Brazil  <span class="so-article-trans-title" dir="auto"> Translated title: Os efeitos do represamento fluvial sobre pescadores artesanais no Médio Rio Tocantins, Brasil </span>

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Abstract

Abstract: Aim The present study investigated the social impacts caused by the construction of a large hydropower dam (Lajeado Dam) on artisanal fishers in the Middle Tocantins River, evaluating how the impoundment affected fishing techniques (locations, transport and gears), operation (income, effort and costs), and fisher’s well-being. Methods The study interviewed 30 artisanal fishers (Colony Z-04, Porto Nacional, TO) between August and October 2018 with the application of a structured questionnaire. Results Results indicated that fishing is socially important as a source of income and occupation, carried out essentially by men with low levels of formal education. Fishers reported, however, significant changes in the fishery system after the impoundment of the Tocantins River. The main fishing area was maintained, but fishers abandoned some sites. There were significant changes in fishing equipment, with an increase in the use of aluminum boats and outboard engines, and a reduction in the use of various gears, replaced by the use of gillnets. Almost all fishers (96.6%) declared that fishing effort and the financial costs increased after damming. Many also reported an increase in financial income (70%), but part reported a decrease, no change or could not say. The majority reported that the impoundment damaged the fishing activity (80%) and their well-being (individual and their families; 83.3%); dissatisfaction with the profession also increased. Conclusions Results indicated that the impoundment created by Lajeado Dam impacted several aspects of artisanal fisheries in the Middle Tocantins, with a wide perception of damage, which indicates that working conditions of fishers have declined. This information is relevant and can support fisheries management in the Tocantins River Basin, in order to balance societal demands with sustainability goals and fisher’s needs.

Translated abstract

Resumo: Objetivo O presente estudo investigou os impactos sociais causados pela construção de uma grande barragem hidrelétrica (barragem de Lajeado) sobre os pescadores artesanais que atuam no Médio Rio Tocantins, avaliando como o represamento do rio afetou as técnicas de pesca (locais, transporte e petrechos), sua condução (geração de renda, esforço e custos) e o bem-estar dos pescadores. Métodos O estudo entrevistou 30 pescadores artesanais (Colônia Z-04, Porto Nacional, TO) entre agosto e outubro de 2018 com a aplicação de um questionário estruturado. Resultados Os resultados indicaram que a pesca tem grande relevância social como fonte de renda e geração de emprego, exercida essencialmente por homens com baixo nível de escolaridade. No entanto, os pescadores relataram mudanças significativas na atividade pesqueira após o represamento do rio Tocantins. A principal área de pesca foi mantida, mas os pescadores abandonaram alguns locais. Houve mudança notável nos equipamentos de pesca, com aumento significativo no uso de barco de alumínio e motor, redução no uso de diversos petrechos, e aumento no emprego de malhadeiras. Quase todos os pescadores (96%) declararam aumento no tempo gasto com a pesca e no custo financeiro envolvido. A maioria também afirmou aumento da renda financeira (70%), embora parte tenha relatado diminuição, ausência de alteração ou não soube dizer. A grande maioria relatou que o represamento prejudicou a atividade pesqueira (80%) e seu bem estar (individual e de sua família; 83.3%); também houve aumento na insatisfação com a profissão. Conclusões Os resultados indicaram que o represamento da usina de Lajeado impactou diversos componentes da pesca artesanal no Médio Tocantins, com ampla percepção de prejuízo, o que indica piora nas condições de trabalho dos pescadores. Essas informações são relevantes para o ordenamento e gestão pesqueira na bacia do Rio Tocantins, no intuito de equilibrar as demandas da sociedade com metas de sustentabilidade e necessidades dos pescadores.

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Fish biodiversity and conservation in South America.

R. Reis, J. Albert, F Di Dario … (2016)

The freshwater and marine fish faunas of South America are the most diverse on Earth, with current species richness estimates standing above 9100 species. In addition, over the last decade at least 100 species were described every year. There are currently about 5160 freshwater fish species, and the estimate for the freshwater fish fauna alone points to a final diversity between 8000 and 9000 species. South America also has c. 4000 species of marine fishes. The mega-diverse fish faunas of South America evolved over a period of >100 million years, with most lineages tracing origins to Gondwana and the adjacent Tethys Sea. This high diversity was in part maintained by escaping the mass extinctions and biotic turnovers associated with Cenozoic climate cooling, the formation of boreal and temperate zones at high latitudes and aridification in many places at equatorial latitudes. The fresh waters of the continent are divided into 13 basin complexes, large basins consolidated as a single unit plus historically connected adjacent coastal drainages, and smaller coastal basins grouped together on the basis of biogeographic criteria. Species diversity, endemism, noteworthy groups and state of knowledge of each basin complex are described. Marine habitats around South America, both coastal and oceanic, are also described in terms of fish diversity, endemism and state of knowledge. Because of extensive land use changes, hydroelectric damming, water divergence for irrigation, urbanization, sedimentation and overfishing 4-10% of all fish species in South America face some degree of extinction risk, mainly due to habitat loss and degradation. These figures suggest that the conservation status of South American freshwater fish faunas is better than in most other regions of the world, but the marine fishes are as threatened as elsewhere. Conserving the remarkable aquatic habitats and fishes of South America is a growing challenge in face of the rapid anthropogenic changes of the 21st century, and deserves attention from conservationists and policy makers.