Decipher me or I’ll devour you: the dialogue of knowledge such as resistance and survival of small communities of artisanal fishermen on the north coast of Paraná

Abstract

The coast of Paraná has more than 35 traditional fishing communities that have undergone several transformations in recent decades, however the exodus of younger people from the profession puts the perpetuation of this knowledge at risk. Therefore, given this context, this study aimed to investigate whether the dialogue of knowledge between generations has been a factor in cultural preservation in small communities of artisanal fishermen on the north coast of Paraná. Descriptive exploratory research was carried out between April and October 2024 by receptivity with 32 families.  The study revealed that artisanal fishing on the coast of Paraná presents itself in a similar way to past decades and in terms of labor, few changes were reported. The main and worrying change reported among the families interviewed is that 65.63% of young people from these communities in recent decades have moved to other cities, for other economic activities or have rejected the profession. It was possible to observe that the young people who remain in the communities have perpetuated traditional knowledge, and can help build a bridge between the past and the future by revealing possible paths for the survival of small fishing communities. The possible reversal of the situation lies in the construction of new dialogues between science, public authorities and fishing communities in the search for specific public policy formulations for fishing with future investments in professional development and verticalization of the production chain so that, in addition to fish, and shrimps, the transformation of production in excess of the winter period for subsequent sale in the summer season occurs, however, apparently in a short space of time, fishing communities are unable to promote these advances on their own and need help to reverse this situation or the The exodus will continue to occur and weaken fishing communities.

Keywords: Sea fishing, Transmission of knowledge, Identity, traditional knowledge.

DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/15-1-01

Publication date: January 30th 2025