Does Fish Still Matter? Changes in the Diet of Two Brazilian Fishing Communities

Abstract

Coastal communities are experiencing rapid changes on their livelihood due to the degradation of coastal areas and growing tourism. We analyze the changes in the diet of two fishing communities from the southeastern Brazilian coast, in regard to their consumption of animal protein. Using multivariate methods, we followed the diet of 32 households through the 24-hour recall method (three days per month, September 1998 to August 1999) in order to compare the niche breadth of the communities, and to verify the relationships between fish consumption and socioeconomic characteristics. The nutritional quality of the diets is analyzed. Even with the partial abandonment of fishing activities, fishing activity still guides fish consumption. Nutritional adequacy is above the recommended levels for protein intake, but is below it for food energy. Non-local industrialized food items influence the increase of the niche breadth. The abandonment of livelihood activities that historically assured Caiçara's self-sufficiency are resulting in the food delocalization.

Trophic relationships between people and resources: fish consumption in an artisanal fishers neighborhood in Southern Brazil

“…Exchanges between relatives and neighbors were also observed in other studies on fishers' diets (Hanazaki and Begossi 2003) and were a significant source of fish in these communities. Additionally, fish caught in other localities are locally accessible due to the market chains.…”

“…This can reflect historical changes in the livelihood ocurred during the growth of the urban area, and the gradual changes in the livelihoods with the abandonment of locally produced foods ( Fish was present in 62% of sampled meals, which is comparable to more isolated fishing communities in Brazilian coast. Hanazaki and Begossi (2003) observed in artisanal fishing communities of the southern coast of São Paulo that fish are the main source of animal protein present in 32% of the meals, over poultry (24%) and beef (23%). Fish consumption in other artisanal fishing communities along the Atlantic coast of Brazil is usually higher, reaching 44% in Ponta do Almada (Hanazaki and Begossi 2000), 68% on the island communities of Búzios and Itacuruçá, 65% in Jaguanum island, and 52% in Puruba (Begossi et al 2004).…”

“…The analysis of a human populations' diet can be understood from the perspective of human ecology, as an approach that integrates many aspects of resource use by a population (Hanazaki and Begossi 2003). Models and theories from ecology prove to be very useful and applicable when seeking to understand the relationships between human populations and natural resources, such in the analysis of food niche and trophic levels of consumed items (Begossi et al 2004).…”

“…In many cases, fishing activities contributes to diet diversification of coastal populations, especially when considering the different species consumed in the "fish" category (sometimes including other seafood animals such as mollusks and crustaceans) compared to other protein sources (Hanazaki and Begossi 2003). Thus, the study of fish consumption by these communities is relevant in order to understand the relationship between human populations and the natural resources around them, which allows us to infer about changes and adaptations associated with local environmental transformations (Hanazaki and Begossi 2000).…”

“…The knowledge regarding the preferences and dietary restrictions in relation to fish availability also becomes important, in order to verify and understand consumption patterns and the relationship between fish resources and the community (Hanazaki and Begossi 2006). These factors are important to understand the availability of environmental species or their economic importance and social relationship with the community (Hanazaki and Begossi 2006; Ramires et al 2012), and how human populations recognize, use and manage their resources and environments (Hanazaki and Begossi 2003; Ramires et al 2012).…”