Reserva Extrativista Marinha Baía do Iguape: espaço de disputas, conflitos e negociações

Abstract

In this thesis I undertake a socio-anthropological reflection on environmental conflicts in Marine Extractive Reserves, based on a case study on Baía do Iguape Marine Extractive Reserve (RESEX). The main purpose of the research was to analyze how the implementation of the Marine Iguape RESEX intervenes in the material and symbolic disputes carried out by different social and economic segments for the possession, use and significance of the territory. To do so, I started from the theoretical assumption of the formation of an environmental field in contemporary societies, whose axiom is the notion of sustainable development. The study focused on the analysis of the conflict involving traditional extractive populations (fishermen, fisherwomen, shellfish gatherers, quilombolas, small farmers) and the Pedra do Cavalo Complex, composed of a dam and a hydroelectric plant. The methodological strategies consisted of document analysis, collection of primary data from semi-structured interviews, systematic observation of the performance of traditional populations in different public spaces, in the meetings of the Management Council of the Resex and participation in clashes involving the carrying out of a gutter test in the Paraguaçu River during the pandemic period. The research results point out the lack of agreement between government proposals (federal and state) for this area. It also showed changes in the disputes over the appropriation, use and meaning of the territory with the implementation of the Iguape Resex. Local populations increased their symbolic capital in the environmental field and modified their struggle strategies, with institutional recognition as traditional extractive populations and their importance for ecosystem conservation, the expansion of horizontal and vertical support networks and new territorial rights concerning these populations. However, the implementation of these rights comes up against difficulties in applying environmental policy, particularly with regard to Extractive Reserves, as well as the developmentalist and neoliberal positions of a large part of government spheres and the private sector.