Estratégias de sobrevivência de pescadores migrantes: um estudo de caso

Abstract

This study is part of the Project Natural Resources and Anthropology of Maritime, River and Lake Populations of the Amazon-RENAS. Its objective is to identify and investigate the actions used by migrants in the displacement from their areas of origin (interior of the State of Pará) to the city of Belém, as well as in the confrontation of the new urban context, distinct from the rural environment. The methodology for this investigation was based on a survey and bibliographic research, and field work with direct observation, in which visual records (photography), open interviews, and life stories were used. Through these techniques it was possible to find out, from the migrants' reports, how they moved to this capital city. The contingent of migrant fishermen who live in Belém is not only the result of the attraction of an urban labor market, but also, according to them, demonstrates the innumerous difficulties that the artisanal fishing activity goes through in their areas of origin. The reasons for this displacement are connected on the one hand to the difficulties faced by them in the fishing activity, such as the physical effort involved and the empirical notion of overfishing, and on the other hand to the perspective of "improving their lives". The research has shown that the strategies of staying in the city and reaching perspectives such as employment and housing have been accomplished with the support of relatives and friends who live in this capital. It was also observed, in this research, an attempt of family reproduction, although it has not been possible to deepen this theme.