Compreensão das interações antrópicas com peixes-bois-marinhos (Trichechus manatus manatus) e o conflito gerado com a comunidade pesqueira na APA Costa dos Corais

Abstract

The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) considered an endangered species occurs off the coast of northeastern Brazil, and human interactions is one of the threats that affect the species. In the Área de Proteção Ambiental Costa dos Corais (Costa dos Corais Environmental Protection Area - APACC/AL), manatees and fishing communities experience socio-environmental conflict due to the behaviors performed by the species. The research objectives were to understand the behavior and interactions of manatees, as well as the mapping of areas of interactions with tourism and conflicts with fishermen. Interviews were conducted that resulted in 115 questionnaires with artisanal fishermen in the municipalities of Barra de Santo Antônio, Passo de Camaragibe, São Miguel dos Milagres and Porto de Pedras, located in APACC/AL, from February 2019 to May 2020. In addition, participatory and social media monitoring was carried out from July 2018 to December 2021 to survey interactions between people and manatees and between manatees and people. In the results of the interviews, it was possible to identify the behaviors that cause the conflict with fishermen, to understand about these interactions and their perceptions about the species. In participatory monitoring and social networks, it was seen that the Natural Pools of Toque (São Miguel dos Milagres), Tatuamunha River and Manguaba River (Porto de Pedras), showed greater interactions between people to the manatees and vice-versa. We conclude that this work is a tool that can help in the dialogue of fishing communities and the management of the Protected Area, and can be a strategy for the conservation of the species.