Man, Fishes, and the Amazon

Nigel Smith is a senior researcher with Worldwatch Institute in Wahington, D.C. He recently worked as a research associate at the National Institute for Amazon Research (INPA) in Brazil. Smith received a Ph.D in geography from the University of California at Berkeley.

• 1. Rationale, Study Area, and Methods 2. The Biophysical Setting Geomorphology, climate and hydrology, varzea forest, and seral vegetation, fish fauna of Amazon 3. The Socioeconomic EnvironmentAntiquity of man in the Itacoatiara area, socioeconomic status of fishermen, organization of fishing methods, species caught, biotopes fished 4. Fishing Methods and Catch per EffortDescription of fishing technologies, origins, seasonal variation of fishing methods, species caught, biotopes fished 5. Fish Yield and ConsumptionProductivity of fisheries, per capita consumption of fish, food avoidances and ecological significance, preparation of fish dishes, utilization of other aquatic fauna 6. Folklore and FishingMyths and legends of fishermen, significance in terms of protein availability and conservation of fish stocks 7. Impact of Cultural and Ecological Change on FisheriesThe impact of the breaking down of myths and legislation on conservation of fisheries, population increase, development projects and habitat destruction