The oil spill and its consequences in the socio-environmental and economic dynamics of fishing communities from the coast of Pernambuco

• Grant number: 20/02283-3
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: December 01, 2020 - November 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Cooperation agreement: CONFAP - National Council of State Research Support Foundations
• Principal researcher: Maria de Los Angeles Gasalla
• Grantee: Maria de Los Angeles Gasalla
• Home Institution: Instituto Oceanográfico (IO). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: Amanda Ricci Rodrigues ; Camila Camolesi Guimarães ; June Ferraz Dias

Abstract

The recent oil spill effects on nature and on the livelihoods of small-scale fishers have motivated researchers from both the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE) and the University of São Paulo (USP) to conduct a joint study with the aim of understanding the degree of social, economic and environmental impacts caused on the fisheries and of evaluating, under a knowledge coproduction framework, the dynamics of work, yields, livelihoods and local economies along 16 municipalities of the coast of Pernambuco. Social vulnerability evaluation and mapping and the possible solutions based in communities' perspectives will also be assessed. A combination of quantitative (field-data) and qualitative (life histories) methodologies will guide the research, and allow comparative approaches (temporal and spatial). The affected ecosystem services and the impacts on the value chain as well as on the population will also be identified. Aiming at filling important data gaps on the coastal fishing communities, the study will offer an updated socioeconomic analysis and ultimately an understanding of damages, risks, sensitivity and adaptive capacity of the different communities. Research steps will be discussed during local workshops where the educommunication strategies and needs will be improved. The production and sharing of data/knowledge jointly with the communities and social movements of fishers - on such an unprecedented fact in the Brazilian history - will allow an in-depth comprehension of the oil impacts in the life of Pernambuco's coastal communities. The proposal also expects articles in academic journals, spots shows and education media for radio and TV, bulletins, newsletters, documentaries and seminars on this important and tragic socioenvironmental issue. (AU)