Extrativismo de anomalocardia flexuosa (linnaeus, 1767) em uma área de proteção ambiental, Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil: aspectos sociais, econômicos e ambientais

Abstract

The collection of bivalve molluscs is considered one of the main activities in several fishing communities that live in coastal areas, since the human occupation of these areas, it is a practice transmitted from generation to generation that serves as a source or alternative of income and food. The objective of this work is to analyze social, economic and environmental aspects related to the exploitation of the bivalve mollusk Anomalocardia flexuosa in the environmental protection area, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The focus of the research was qualitative-quantitative, exploratory and descriptive, combining different methodological perspectives based on bibliography and field research. The study sought the primary recognition, survey and organization of data for interpretation, analysis, understanding of the activity and related environmental, economic and social aspects. Among the 43 participating shellfish gatherers, 67.4% are men and 33.6% women. 41.8% have been practicing the activity for over 20 years. None of the participants completed higher education. The collection of A. flexuosa takes place inside the Guaraíras lagoon, 79.1% try to alternate the extraction sites, 16.3% have an engine to move the canoe. 83.7% of participants changed the way they collect and process A. flexuosa to obtain meat. Three extraction techniques are used: 11.7% manually, 20.9% using dragging and 67.4% using nets with scythes. 86% of the interlocutors process A. flexuosa to obtain the meat in the ranches that are on the edge of the lagoon and from these all discard the skins in the same place. 86% sell meat to intermediaries and 44.2% claimed to collect more than R$ 1,000.00 per month with the activity, the mean and standard deviation (SD) of daily landings per shellfish gatherer is 100 ± (40.55). The research also evaluated the microbiological pattern of A. flexuosa meat in the Bonfim Guaraíras Environmental Protection Area, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. The count of mesophiles, psychotrophs and Escherichia coli was within the limits used as a parameter, the biochemical coagulase test was negative, the presence of coliforms was detected at 45°C, the absence of salmonella sp and the presence of twelve species of Gram negative bacteria with the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization source mass spectrometry – MALDI and the mass analyzer of the type time-of-flight - TOF. Essential and non-essential metals to were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry - ICP-OES in samples of A. flexuosa meat and sediment collected at the studied site. The presence of the metals Cadmium, Lead, Chromium and Zinc was verified in the sediment within the limits established by current legislation. The elements Iron, Copper, Manganese and Zinc were found in the mollusc meat within the limits established by legislation and it was observed that the concentration measured indicates that the meat of A. flexuosa can contribute to an adequate and healthy diet. The seafood activity in the researched location is representative, but it is permeated by challenges such as the lack of information for regulation, regulation, decent conditions to practice the activity, social organization, structure for processing with guaranteed quality and customer service. legislation, flow logistics, marketing at fair prices through different channels that meet legal requirements, in addition to the coexistence of fishing with other economic activities and anthropogenic actions that can generate social and environmental implications related to this production system. It is essential to mention that there are multiple interrelationships in the shellfishing activity, with a plurality of situations involving elements of a political, social, economic and environmental nature. This context indicates the need for research that seeks to understand the various aspects that involve the activity in order to improve the conditions related to it. The expectation is that the new data collected during the research will help to raise awareness about the need to develop instruments for regulating and supervising local activity. Studies on shellfishing activities on the coast of Rio Grande do Norte are commonly derived from specific and/or short-term projects. The reality observed during the work indicates the need to monitor shellfishing activity in a planned, coordinated and continuous manner.