Environmental and Social Vulnerability of Fishermen and Seafood Collectors in S. Francisco do Conde/Ba

Abstract

From the identification of social and environmental health determinants, this study aims to map the risks, the social and environmental aspect of vulnerability of a group of fishermen and seafood collector in São Francisco do Conde, Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Bahia. As a proposal to collaborate in the formulation of public policies which should drive to promote the quality of life of seafood collectors and traditional fishermen it was taken as base 2 complementary diagnostics: environmental and socio-demographic. The microbiological quality of water, presence of heavy metals in sediment, shellfish and fish was checked; beyond microbiological contaminants from the sewage and 6 common heavy metals in industrial effluents. The socio demographic diagnostic raised the working and housing conditions as well as aspects of health. Combined with field observations and similar studies, there were found that fishing and shellfish collecting has suffered decline as traditional activities, arousing little interest of younger generations; in addition, its handmade features restricts their insertion in the capitalism production mode. Findings indicate a several commitment of the coastal ecosystem, the mangrove, contaminated by heavy metals and fecal coliforms that enhance occupational order grievances, resulting from ergonomics and exposure to contamination. It also relates the living and invisibility conditions that recurrently strengthens and expands the level of social and environmental vulnerability. Thus, the black roots of the city, expressed in population composition, has been threatened facing the social vulnerability of communities, remaining groups and their descendants.