Changes perceived by traditional fishing communities after a major dam disaster in Brazil

ABSTRACT

The paper reports a study of the responses of fishing communities, Regência and Povoação, located at the mouth of the Doce River, to the collapse of the Fundão dam, owned by Samarco Mineração, in 2015. After the disaster, the fishermen’s social and cultural practices have undergone drastic changes. The arrival of tailings in the river has impaired their routines and income. The fishermen and their families indicate a sense of loss of identity and insecurity because of the uncertainty. They do not know if they will be able to resume fishing in these waters. This feeling contrasts with the results of a study conducted before the disaster.

KEYWORDS:

• Fishermen
• traditional communities
• Doce River
• environmental disaster

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.