LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE (LEK) ON THE MANGROVE CRAB Ucides cordatus (LINNAEUS, 1763): FISHERY PROFILE OF MANGROVE AREAS IN ITANHAÉM (SOUTHEAST BRAZIL)

The mangrove crab ( Ucides cordatus ) is a relevant fishery resource in Brazil, whose capture, transportation, and processing are regulated by specific laws. Information obtained from traditional crabbing communities are of significant importance, although they remain unacknowledged by the population of the Itanhaem River Estuary (Sao Paulo, Southeast Brazil). The present study shows the ethnozoological aspects related to the capture of U. cordatus , mapping the activity and providing subsidies for better fishery management. Crab catchers were recruited using the Snowball sampling technique and were submitted to a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were assessed quali-quantitatively through the Collective Subject Discourse (CSD) method and underwent statistical analysis when possible. The population of crab catchers was exceedingly small, comprising a remnant of “caicara” fishermen, 78% of whom did not have a valid license, thus rendering their professional activity illegal. Most of the crab catchers (56%) use the tangle-netting technique, which is prohibited by law, including during the fishing season (60%). Around 77.4% of the traditional knowledge of these fishermen was confirmed in the literature, evidencing the great deal of wisdom that is passed on by more experienced crab catchers. Important gaps could be filled regarding the knowledge on this species, including the regularization of this artisanal form of fishery, requiring a review and new alternatives to be properly managed.