Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in Europe
Abstract Background With the present difficulties in the conservation of sardines in the North Atlantic, it is important to investigate the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of fishermen about the biology and ecology of these fish. The ethnoecological data of European pilchard provided by local fishe...
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doaj-f8fe2406558f4844bb8b34fef71a65592020-11-25T00:53:08ZengBMCJournal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine1746-42692017-09-0113111310.1186/s13002-017-0181-8Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in EuropeHeitor de Oliveira Braga0Miguel Ângelo Pardal1Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro2Centre for Functional Ecology - CFE, Department of Life Sciences, University of CoimbraCentre for Functional Ecology - CFE, Department of Life Sciences, University of CoimbraDepartment of Biology & CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of AveiroAbstract Background With the present difficulties in the conservation of sardines in the North Atlantic, it is important to investigate the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of fishermen about the biology and ecology of these fish. The ethnoecological data of European pilchard provided by local fishermen can be of importance for the management and conservation of this fishery resource. Thus, the present study recorded the ethnoecological knowledge of S. pilchardus in the traditional fishing community of Peniche, Portugal. Methods This study was based on 87 semi-structured interviews conducted randomly from June to September 2016 in Peniche. The interview script contained two main points: Profile of fishermen and LEK on European pilchard. The ethnoecological data of sardines were compared with the scientific literature following an emic-etic approach. Data collected also were also analysed following the union model of the different individual competences and carefully explored to guarantee the objectivity of the study. Results The profile of the fishermen was investigated and measured. Respondents provided detailed informal data on the taxonomy, habitat, behaviour, migration, development, spawning and fat accumulation season of sardines that showed agreements with the biological data already published on the species. The main uses of sardines by fishermen, as well as beliefs and food taboos have also been mentioned by the local community. Conclusions The generated ethnoecological data can be used to improve the management of this fishery resource through an adaptive framework among the actors involved, in addition to providing data that can be tested in further ecological studies. Therefore, this local knowledge may have the capacity to contribute to more effective conservation actions for sardines in Portugal.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13002-017-0181-8EthnoecologyFolk knowledgeFishermenEuropean pilchardParticipatory management |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Heitor de Oliveira Braga Miguel Ângelo Pardal Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro |
spellingShingle |
Heitor de Oliveira Braga Miguel Ângelo Pardal Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in Europe Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine Ethnoecology Folk knowledge Fishermen European pilchard Participatory management |
author_facet |
Heitor de Oliveira Braga Miguel Ângelo Pardal Ulisses Miranda Azeiteiro |
author_sort |
Heitor de Oliveira Braga |
title |
Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in Europe |
title_short |
Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in Europe |
title_full |
Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in Europe |
title_fullStr |
Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in Europe |
title_full_unstemmed |
Sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the European pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in Europe |
title_sort |
sharing fishers´ ethnoecological knowledge of the european pilchard (sardina pilchardus) in the westernmost fishing community in europe |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine |
issn |
1746-4269 |
publishDate |
2017-09-01 |
description |
Abstract Background With the present difficulties in the conservation of sardines in the North Atlantic, it is important to investigate the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of fishermen about the biology and ecology of these fish. The ethnoecological data of European pilchard provided by local fishermen can be of importance for the management and conservation of this fishery resource. Thus, the present study recorded the ethnoecological knowledge of S. pilchardus in the traditional fishing community of Peniche, Portugal. Methods This study was based on 87 semi-structured interviews conducted randomly from June to September 2016 in Peniche. The interview script contained two main points: Profile of fishermen and LEK on European pilchard. The ethnoecological data of sardines were compared with the scientific literature following an emic-etic approach. Data collected also were also analysed following the union model of the different individual competences and carefully explored to guarantee the objectivity of the study. Results The profile of the fishermen was investigated and measured. Respondents provided detailed informal data on the taxonomy, habitat, behaviour, migration, development, spawning and fat accumulation season of sardines that showed agreements with the biological data already published on the species. The main uses of sardines by fishermen, as well as beliefs and food taboos have also been mentioned by the local community. Conclusions The generated ethnoecological data can be used to improve the management of this fishery resource through an adaptive framework among the actors involved, in addition to providing data that can be tested in further ecological studies. Therefore, this local knowledge may have the capacity to contribute to more effective conservation actions for sardines in Portugal. |
topic |
Ethnoecology Folk knowledge Fishermen European pilchard Participatory management |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13002-017-0181-8 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT heitordeoliveirabraga sharingfishersethnoecologicalknowledgeoftheeuropeanpilchardsardinapilchardusinthewesternmostfishingcommunityineurope AT miguelangelopardal sharingfishersethnoecologicalknowledgeoftheeuropeanpilchardsardinapilchardusinthewesternmostfishingcommunityineurope AT ulissesmirandaazeiteiro sharingfishersethnoecologicalknowledgeoftheeuropeanpilchardsardinapilchardusinthewesternmostfishingcommunityineurope |
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