Where are we going to fish today? Factors that influence the decisions of crab fishermen (Ucides cordatus) for choosing their fishing grounds: contributions to the territorial management of Marine Protected Areas

Users of natural resources, such as artisanal mangrove crab (Ucides cordatus) fishers along the Amazonian coast, must make daily decisions about where to go to access the natural resources on which their livelihoods depend. However, the factors guiding these choices are not always evident and are not necessarily purely rational. A deeper understanding of these factors can contribute to improved territorial management and to the strengthening of governance in Marine Protected Areas. The objective of this study is to identify the factors that influence the choices made by mangrove crab fishers living in Amazonian mangroves when deciding which areas of the mangrove to fish. The methodology combines ethnographic research with focus group discussions. The results indicate that fishers do not choose fishing locations at random, but rather rely on a set of interconnected economic, social, technological, and cultural factors. This decision-making process results in a clear community-based division of fishing areas. The findings presented here support the formulation of management agreements and public policies aimed at improving the governance of Brazil’s Marine Protected Areas.