On Traditional Fishers ’ Knowledge in Australia and Brazil

This paper examines the status of research on indigenous Australian and Brazilian fishers’ knowledge. In Australia, research involving indigenous ecological knowledge has been done mainly in terrestrial environments. The marine environment has gradually increased its profile and share of this research over the last 15 years, following research and management issues associated with indigenous use of marine resources, particularly in the Torres Strait and Northeast Australia. The development of such research is related to indigenous participation in marine resource management. The focus has been on threatened species – specifically dugong (Dugong dugong, Sirennia) and sea turtles rather than fish – and has now expanded beyond the domain of marine protected areas. Indigenous communities in Australia are increasingly valuing and protecting their knowledge as intellectual property. This involves strict controls of access and use, and adherence to culturally appropriate research ethics and methods. In Brazil, research involving ecological knowledge of artisanal fishers has been done mostly over the past ten years, focusing on marine and freshwater fish. Studies have been completed at the Southeastern and Northeastern coasts, and at the Southeastern and Amazonian rivers. Research findings show that fishers have a nomenclature system for fish species, usually classifying useful species in a detailed way. The classification of fish is influenced by their ecology and behaviour. Fishers apply their ecological knowledge while fishing and this knowledge is consistent with the relevant biological science observations. Despite its potential usefulness, application of this knowledge in a fisheries management context is yet to occur in either country. Environmental and socio-cultural factors threaten the maintenance of this alternate information base, and serve to highlight the need for increased research efforts to record this knowledge and realize its potential contribution to fisheries management.