Local ecological knowledge of fishermen from southeastern and southern Brazil about the Toninha – Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei)
The Ecologia Humana do Oceano research group, based at the Federal University of Espirito Santo in southeastern Brazil, conducted a study with traditional fishermen in the Southwest Atlantic on the Toninha-Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei). The research team conducted interviews in ten fishing communities in southeastern and southern Brazil.
Most fishermen who fish in the Franciscana dolphin's range were unable to identify this species. The fishermen who recognized the toninha explain that this dolphin is accidentally caught as bycatch in gillnets. As a rule, the carcasses are thrown overboard, but the fat and muscles can be used as bait for shark fishing and for human consumption. These fishermen do not know of any solutions to reduce the unintentional capture of Franciscana dolphins.
The extent to which fishermen can identify toninha and provide data about them depends on their direct encounters with the animals. Consequently, local knowledge is influenced by the species' presence in fishing grounds, the type of fishing gear used, and the characteristics of the habitat (protected areas as opposed to the open sea). These conditions facilitate or hinder observation and contact with the Toninha, whose physical and behavioral characteristics already sufficiently limit its observation in the environment.
The fishermen's knowledge of the Toninha was compared between the regions studied, and the researchers found that fishermen in the south of the country are more familiar with the species than those in southeastern Brazil. The results of this study suggest that awareness-raising measures for this species are needed in the fishing communities studied, particularly in the southeast of the country, where the Toninha is less well known.
When conditions were favorable for species recognition, fishermen were able to identify their characteristics and provide information about interactions with fisheries. Local ecological knowledge thus proves to be a useful tool for collecting data on Franciscana dolphin populations that overlap with fishing areas in the western South Atlantic.
Local ecological knowledge (LEK) has been proven to be invaluable for wildlife conservation, as it contributes to a holistic understanding of ecosystems, improves conservation planning and management, and promotes cultural preservation and the strengthening of local communities. Integrating LEK with other scientific knowledge creates a more inclusive and effective approach to species conservation, ensuring the long-term well-being of both wildlife and local communities. With this in mind, YAQU PACHA is strengthening its commitment and involvement in LEK projects.
Read the publication as a PDF: Local ecological knowledge of fishers from southern and southeastern Brazil about the franciscana dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei: Strategies for conservation
The study was funded by YAQU PACHA e.V.