Estudo sobre as tensões sociais na pesca artesanal: o caso da Vila de Beja/Abaetetuba-Pa

Abstract

Studies on conflicts in coastal areas, estuaries and inland waters of the Amazon region have been the subject of research works (Mello, 1995; Furtado, 1993). Following the research line of the RENAS Project "Natural Resources and Sustainability Strategies", this work contributes to a more directed study of conflicts, through the observation, recording and description of the social tensions present in the context of the Vila de Beja/Abaetetuba (PA). Through an ethnographic study, field work, photographic records, application of questionnaires and a conceptual review from the point of view of conflict and the territory of its occurrence; it was recorded that some aspects that characterize such conflicts, according to Gurr (1985) are: (a) two or more parties are involved; (b) they engage in acts of reciprocal opposition; (c) they use coercive behaviors, intended to destroy, injure, frustrate or control their opponent(s)); (d) these contentious interactions are public; and can be detected and recognized by independent observers. Conflict relationships involve attempts to exert control over scarce resources and to influence behavior in certain directions. Furtado, et all (1998), analyze "fishing conflicts translate into situations of antagonism between different segments of local society and outsiders, who compete for the appropriation of natural resources and the dispute of territoriality. Thus, the actors who are in a state of conflict are fishermen from Beja Village and nearby regions, and Capim Bay reveals itself as a conflictive area and appropriation of fishing resources are the major causes of the conflict. This situation is leading the fishermen of the village to seek their territoriality, with the objective of fighting for their rights, since the conflict tends to lead to the organization of social groups (Martins, 1993). What can be observed in this portion of the Amazon estuary is a state of conflict that has been intensifying, and may take on greater proportions in future periods.