Traditional populations, social representation and environment protection: a study on continuity prospectives for handmade fishing in the Parana River's margins

Abstract

This study aims to continue the work already developed in the margins of river Paraná, Brazil, between the mouth of river Paranapanema and Itaipu water reservoir, investigating social representations by fishermen's sons, about handmade fishing and their perspectives of inheriting their fathers' profession. The conclusions indicate that the interviewees desire to keep their ancestral lifestyle, which is characteristic of traditional populations. However, there are not effective conditions for such continuity, due to environmental changes. Professional handmade fishing, such as has been made in that area, tends to disappear. This work suggests a search for alternatives to preserve this culture, valued by the interviewees, through regional studies and investigations. It also suggests the development of a work inside the fishermen local population to make them aware of themselves as traditional population, able to act and with a lifestyle of their own.