Health and Traditional Fishing in All Saints Bay, Brazil

Abstract

 

This paper aims to identify the chronic non-transmittable diseases afflicting individuals involved in the traditional fishing system of All Saints Bay (state of Bahia) and the search for treatment for these diseases. Based on research carried out among the fishing communities of three municipalities of All Saints Bay, the paper analyses data collected by means of a small survey (N=127). Fifty-six percent of the respondents suffer from two or even three chronic diseases, which they consider serious. The majority finds that work in fishing and harvesting shellfish, and a lack of medical assistance, are the main causes of their poor health. When asked about treatment the main complaint raised by respondents concerns the poor conditions in which health care units function and the difficulties involved in travel to health care facilities located outside their communities. It is important to note that the health conditions of these traditional fishing communities are likely to further deteriorate due to governmental budget cuts and measures taken by the government to regulate traditional fishing activities.

 

Keywords: Traditional fishing, ALL Saints Bay(Brazil), Non-transmittable chronic diseases.