Pescadores da Ponta do Caju : aspectos da contribuição de portugueses e espanhóis para o desenvolvimento da pesca na Guanabara

Resumo

In "Ponta do Caju's fishermen Aspects of Portuguese and Spanish contribution to the development of fishing in Guanaba1a Bay", by L M C Bernardes it is exterminated the importance of portuguese contribution to the formation and development of the nucleus that nowadays has more than one thousand inhabitants.

            Situated entirely in Rio de Janeiro City, in a small part of land that only now is being reached by urbanism this wide nucleus where the shrimp fishing is practiced counts with a high percentage of elements coming from the center and north of Portugal. However the technics employed are not those from their origin places, as in its majority, they come from the traditional fishing centers where it is not usual the “traineiras” process. On the other hand there is among them an appreciable number of fishermen that in Portugal didn't live on fishing but on agriculture This kind of transformation is unknown in that country.

            It is analyzed by the author not only the origin of the nucleus and their occupants but also the adopted technics.

            The "traineiras" fishing and the shrimp fishing are the principal activities. The first asks for greater capitals for it needs strong boats, big nets and a great number of people. Many of the "traineiras" from Caju belong to the residents of the nucleus, other ones to persons who contribute only with the capital receiving part of the profit.

            The shrimp fishing is accomplished in the bay by little boats and only two persons and smaller nets are required. Nowadays they are using nets called "de portais e de arco" the traditional "balão" being given up the work is much more profitable.

            This is explained by the higher life level of the brazilian nucleus what becomes an attraction for those elements came from agricultural zones.

            In a general way the fishing center of Caju as well as those of Praça Quinze de Novembro (in Rio de Janeiro) and Niterói represent for the fishermen from the center and North of Portugal, exactly the same as the ones of modern fishing from Matozinhos, Viana do Castelo and others. To these places the fishermen migrate without their families in order to save money after what they come back to their native place. Sometimes the life seeming easier and safer in these regions they remain there where they sent for their families and even constitute family.

            In this way we can observe not only in Rio de Janeiro as well as in Belém do Pará, Rio Grande and others brazilian ports a true portuguese fishermen center living closely together, although they come from various different places.