Artisanal fishing in a quilombola community in Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil: impacts, challenges, and future perspectives

Artisanal fishing remains essential for many traditional communities along the coastline of Brazil; however, environmental damage has depleted fish stocks and made working conditions difficult in some regions. As a result, fewer young people are interested in continuing this tradition. This study looks at how fishing is practiced in Santiago do Iguape, a quilombola community in Recôncavo Baiano, analyzing both the current situation and the challenges fishermen face by applying an ethicist-emicist perspective. Data were obtained using semi-structured interviews conducted with 104 fishers recruited through the snowball sampling method until theoretical saturation was achieved. This approach was supplemented by field observations and an online questionnaire targeting community youth. The findings reveal that the growth of large enterprises, chemical waste pollution, and ongoing ecosystem degradation have intensified current challenges. While 75% of young individuals have experience in fishing, a substantial number are discouraged from entering the field due to economic uncertainty, adverse working conditions, and limited resources. Despite the sociocultural legacy valued by the community, the risk of diminishing traditional knowledge transfer remains significant. As such, securing legal rights and government protection is imperative to enhance both economic and environmental outcomes and to promote the continued practice of artisanal fishing.