Amateur Fishing Begins in the Barra do Una Sustainable Development Reserve, South Coast of São Paulo

Abstract

Recreational fishing has been expanding globally, yet in Brazil, particularly in the Southeast-South region, it remains comparatively understudied. This study aimed to investigate the origins of recreational fishing within an artisanal fishing community on the southern coast of São Paulo, focusing on the Barra do Una Sustainable Development Reserve, Peruíbe (SP). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with five experienced artisanal fishers, who participated as a focus group due to their knowledge of the region’s history. Results indicate that recreational fishing became institutionalized in 1965 with the foundation of a fishing club formed by individuals of high socioeconomic status. For more than two decades, the activity thrived, mainly supported by snook catches (Centropomus parallelus and C. undecimalis), with records of up to 500 individuals per fishing trip. The club’s decline, beginning in 1987, was linked to the enactment of laws and ordinances that restricted fishing following the creation of the Jureia-Itatins Ecological Station. This historical reconstruction highlights the relevance of recreational fishing in shaping local fishing dynamics and its regulation within protected areas.