Through the Meanders of the Pantanal: Territorial Conflicts and Socio-Environmental Impacts Faced by Artisanal Fishermen in Santo Antônio De Leverger

Fishing is one of the oldest activities practiced by humanity, transcending time. Santo Antônio de Leverger is home to a few hundred of the 7,633 artisanal professional fishermen and women of Mato Grosso. Under the river, even before sunrise, these guardians of fishing traditions notice a decrease in their daily catches with each hook thrown into the river. In view of this, this research sought to investigate the socio-environmental impacts that plague the daily lives of these individuals. For this purpose, quantitative methodologies were adopted, with data collection, and qualitative methodologies through semi-structured interviews with fishermen and women from the Z8 colony. One of the main socio-environmental impacts identified is the sad desire that the new generation will not continue in the profession due to the difficult conditions of maintaining the art of artisanal professional fishing. Knowledge transmitted and resisted for generations is at the forefront of its epilogue.