Natural Monument of São Francisco: artisanal fishermen and participative management

Abstract

The Natural Monument of São Francisco (MONA) is one of the Conservation Units (UCs) in Brazil. The creation of a CU can affect mostly traditional fishermen. In this context, the management council of this Conservation Unit is a collegiate body where the presence of fishermen is essential. This research aims to analyze the participation of traditional fishermen in the Consultative Council of the Natural Monument of the São Francisco (CCMNRSF), measure the level of participation of traditional fishermen in the CCMNRSF and identify the factors that hinder or favor this participation. In addition to the decree that creates the MONA, the ordinance that creates the CCMNRSF, were left as minutes of the meetings of the CCMNRSF. The traditional fishermen have 13% of the seats reserved in the CCMNRSF, with representatives in all the CCMNRSF meetings, but in only one third of the meetings the speeches of these representatives were recorded. some factors favor the participation of artisanal fishermen, including the decentralizing nature of ICMBio. It was also observed that the absence of peers hinders participation in the CCMNRSF, in meeting the demands made by workers.