Sport Fishing Licenses Threaten the Livelihoods of Artisanal Fishermen in the Brazilian Amazon

Along the Rio Branco in Roraima, a state in the Brazilian Amazon, sport fishing is proving to have significant impacts on the livelihoods of artisanal fishers. With the issuance of numerous questionably legal sport fishing licenses, small-scale fishers are being pushed out of their traditional areas, leading to conflict and economic hardship. Roraima’s sport fishing laws offer numerous loopholes, and this has exacerbated the plight of small-scale fishers. Both entrepreneurs and tourists have begun to dominate the Lower and Middle Rio Branco in recent years.

The economic challenges faced by artisanal fishers are further compounded by the low prices offered by middlemen for their catch. Fishers often spend days on the river, only to sell their catch at prices that barely cover their expenses. Severe droughts worsened by climate change have also made it even more difficult for them to support their households. 

Additionally, environmental and labor issues associated with sport fishing companies have recently been brought to light. Some companies have been found to be operating without proper licenses and implicated in environmental crimes. Labor conditions for locals working for these companies are often poor, including low wages and a lack of job security. Stronger enforcement of fishing licenses, more robust public policy, and socioeconomic support for artisanal fishers will be necessary in order to ensure their survival, not to mention the sustainable use of riverine resources.

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This story was produced with support from the Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in Carta Amazônia on July 5, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Banner image: Maria Madalena, a small-scale fisher, paddling on the Rio Branco / Credit: Conexão Criativa.