Shellfish gatherers from Jaguaripe Bahia Brazil

Seafood gatherers shellfish gatherers mangrove women or professional fisherwomen carry out artisanal extraction activities in mangroves rivers seas and beaches on a continuous basis independently or as part of a family economy to support themselves or sell their produce. In the village of Cações in the municipality of Jaguaripe shellfish gathering is of great socio-economic importance in the lives of local residents. With the aim of understanding the relationship between shellfish gatherers and the mangrove swamp and learning about the changes that have taken place in this ecosystem over time an interview was conducted with the shellfish gatherers of Cações. Most of the interviewees reported that there have been significant changes in the mangrove over the years especially the reduction in the mangrove area due to human activity (deforestation sewage dumping and carciniculture). The shellfish most commonly collected by shellfish gatherers in and around the mangrove (tidal flats) are: chumbinho oyster sururu lambreta and aratu.