Efeitos da vulnerabilidade e da resiliência nas comunidades pesqueiras afetadas por desastres socioambientais na Costa do Norte da Bahia

Abstract

Fishing communities are considered vulnerable groups due to their socioeconomic, demographic, and environmental dependency. Understanding the resilience of these communities in the face of crisis situations that directly impact their quality of life is essential for implementing support actions. Thus, the objective of this research was to understand the influence of the vulnerability and resilience of fishing communities on the North Coast of Bahia on the intensity of the impacts associated with the crude oil spill and the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, a structured questionnaire was used to address the socioecological and economic impact of these socioenvironmental disasters in fishing communities in Salvador (Pituba, Rio Vermelho, and Itapuã) and the North Coast (Arembepe, Guarajuba, Praia do Forte, and Sauípe). Questionnaires were administered to 193 fishermen who agreed to contribute to the assessment of the impacts before, during, and after the aforementioned socioenvironmental disasters. It was observed that fishermen in Salvador were more impacted by the crude oil spill and COVID-19 than those in the North Coast. As a result, Salvador was more exposed and vulnerable than the North Coast. The harmful effects on the environment were varied and incalculable, as were the social and economic losses suffered. Although the vulnerability of the scenario represented a challenge in both regions, fishermen managed to adapt to the adversities resulting from these events. Regarding future research, it is hoped that this study will encourage more researchers to become interested in studies on impacts, vulnerability and resilience in fishing communities.