ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES AND THE INFLUENCE ON THE ARTISANAL FISHERY ACTIVITIES IN THE CANANÉIA-IGUAPE ESTUARINE-LAGOON COMPLEX –SP, BRAZIL

Abstract

The maintenance of artisanal fishing activities intwo sectors of this estuary is very influenced by theenvironmental changes resulted from anthropic influences,overall in the northern part of the complex around theIguape city. This region had an exceptional decrease ofsalinity and hydro chemical alterations due to the Ribeirariver input facilitated by “Valo Grande” an artificialchannel. The continuous input reveal changes in waterquality (salinity, nutrients, suspended material), that leavesto biodiversity and distribution modifications of theicthyofauna that reflect on the fishery. The social effectsconsidering the economic benefit and the monetaryapplication represent a problem to maintain a commercialprice and quality of the aquatic products. A sequence ofinterviews with fishermen that work in two distinct sector ofthis system associated to the chemical water data allow toform a real profile of the situation of the artisanal fishingand the environmental quality.Index Terms - artisanal fishing, anthropic influences,estuary.