Sergipe’s shellfish collectors fight for mangrove access
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
In Sergipe, Brazil, shellfish collectors report losing access to mangrove forests and decreasing catches of mollusks and crustaceans as urban development and real estate expansion encroach on their traditional working areas.
The Movement of Shellfish Collectors of Sergipe began within an environmental education program funded by Petrobras as a requirement for licensing. Today, its leaders advocate for rights, professional recognition, and greater autonomy from that structure. The decline in shellfish harvesting affects these women deeply.
They report spending more time in the mudflats to collect less, and traditional practices like songs used when harvesting the aratu shellfish are being lost in some families. The collectors see themselves as guardians of the mangrove ecosystems, practicing conservation while facing threats to their livelihoods. The Movement formed as a result of a program designed to address the socioeconomic impacts of oil and gas exploration in the region.
While initially funded by Petrobras, leaders now recognize the company as a source of the changes impacting their communities and seek financial independence. They are currently pushing for official recognition as a distinct group within the fishing community to ensure access to social benefits. They also propose creating extractive reserves to legally protect their traditional way of life.
