Traditional Aucan knowledge on fish and plants eaten by fish along the Tapanahoni River, Suriname

Abstract

Suriname's freshwater systems are home to a large diversity of (endemic) fish species, and communities of Suriname's interior strongly depend on this diversity for their nutrient intake. However, studies on traditional knowledge of the country's freshwater fish and fish-plant interactions are scarce. Here, we present our findings of a pilot study in the Aucan Maroon community of Diitabiki (Tapanahoni river).We report the species of freshwater fish caught for food, their corresponding Aucan names and plants eaten by fish and/or used for fishing by the local population. We held semi-structured interviews and performed participant observation with fishers and forest guides in August and September 2021. We recorded 14 fish species, of which 12 were identified to species level, and recorded 16 Aucan fish names, of which nine were previously undocumented. Furthermore, we reported 11 plant species that were used for fishing and one fish poison (Tephrosia sinapou (Buc'hoz) A.Chev.). Suriname's riverine ecosystems are threatened by gold mining activities that endanger the health of local communities, as well as the fish populations and riverine forests on which both people and fish depend. Local knowledge on fish, their feeding behavior and the flooded forests is essential for the conservation of this important Amazonian ecosystem, for the development of sustainable management plans and health education programs on mercury levels in consumption fish.

Ethnobotanical contributions to global fishing communities: a review

“… India [ 44 ] Fish conservation Pithecellobium dulce Philippines [ 50 ] Fish poison Albizia odoratissima India [ 51 ] Millettia pachycarpa India [ 46 ] Tephrosia sinapou Suriname [ 45 ] Fishing Inga virescens Brazil [ 31 ] Fishing gear Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Brazil [ 42 ] Fishing net floats Erythrina crista-galli Brazil [ 31 ] Food for fish Inga disticha Suriname [ 45 ] Hooks Acacia karroo Italy [ 1 ] Hulls Entada pervillei Madagascar [ 43 ] Repair canoes Schizolobium parahyba Brazil [ 49 ] Signify octopus season Erythrina variegata Fiji [ 48 ] …”

“…Specifically, Arundo donax is used in India for catching fish [ 9 ] and in Italy as well [ 47 ]. The taxon Astrocaryum jauari is used in Brazil as food for fish [ 7 ] and in Suriname for catching fish [ 45 ]. Brassica juncea is used in India as food for fish [ 44 ], while Brassica oleracea is used in Italy as bait [ 1 ].…”

“…Brassica juncea is used in India as food for fish [ 44 ], while Brassica oleracea is used in Italy as bait [ 1 ]. Genipa americana is used for catching fish in Brazil [ 41 ] and as bait in Suriname [ 45 ]. Hydrilla verticillata is used as food for fish in India [ 9 ] and for catching fish in the Philippines and India [ 50 , 53 ].…”

“…In Brazil, Inga vera is used for catching fish [ 41 ], while Inga virescens is used for fishing [ 31 ]. However, in Suriname, Inga disticha is used as food for fish [ 45 ]. In Hungary, both Juncus bufonius and Juncus effuses are used for recreational fishing [ 54 ].…”

“…Salvinia minima is also used in Brazil as food for fish [ 8 ], while Salvinia natans is used in Hungary for catching fish [ 54 ]. Solanum viarum is used for catching fish in Brazil [ 41 ], while Solanum schomburgkii is used as food for fish in Suriname [ 45 ].…”