CHARACTERISTICS OF SMALL-SCALE FISHING ON THE SOUTH COAST OF SAO PAULO (BRAZIL)

The artisanal fishery contributes significantly to national production of fish in coastal and litoral waters, and has great social and economic importance within the fisheries sector, accounting for a large number of jobs in coastal communities. This review describes the fishery on the South coast of Sao Paulo, in Cananeia, Iguape and Ilha Comprida cities according to the landings in the region and socioeconomic aspects of artisanal fishermen in the period 2000-2012. Artisanal fisheries on the South coast of Sao Paulo State presents above 151 landed species, having broadband anchovy, seabob-shrimp, mullet, catfish and oysters as the most caught species landed in the last 13 years. The gillnet is the most used fishing device due to a large number of fishing resources that can be captured, and the highest number of fishermen that use it for catching broadband anchovy. Most fishing communities exhibit characteristics of "caicara" culture, due to the origin of the communities and the isolation caused by the presence of protected areas, that have preserved the environment. Many social changes were observed. They were caused by the influence of production cycles (agriculture and mining) that existed in the region and also by new complementary activities to assist in family income, as the provision of services, especially for tourism. The fishermen have income below the level of other sectors such as agriculture and the instability of production does not guarantee a monthly income, so secondary activities and fisheries insurance-closure are important economic sources for the annual family income.