“O abraço do braço do mar com a mãe da maré” políticas públicas e extensão pesqueira : o caso da comunidade de Atapuz, Goiana/Pernambuco

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyze public policies for the local development of the community of Atapuz, a small village in Goiana – Pernambuco, also examining the way public policies targeted to fishing-related communities consider the coastal and fishing cultures when designing and implementing their projects. We seek to identify the public policies implemented in those communities and to verify to what extent those public policies for fishing or non-fishing activities are being associated with local development. As far as methodology is concerned, it is na exploratory research with a qualitative approach and a case study. The methodological procedures included: semi structured interviews and direct observations, using a fieldwork register. The findings showed that the majority of the existing public policies affect the community but, although Atapuz is a fishing community, none of those policies are intended specifically for the artisanal fishing activity. It was found that through some of these policies and the construction of the Access Road to the community, Atapuz has been presenting elements that indicate economical growth and there are signs that the inhabitants’ quality of life has been improving. At the same time, it has been observed that, probably, the Access to public policies, even if they are not directly addressed to their fishing character, they made those citizens more critical and ready to fight together for the improvement of the place.