Banca de DEFESA: FABRICIO CLAUDINO DE ALBUQUERQUE

Uma banca de DEFESA de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : FABRICIO CLAUDINO DE ALBUQUERQUE
DATE: 19/03/2026
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Google Meet (https://meet.google.co m/uao-mpnr-ked)
TITLE:

Reef and estuarine fishes: Contributions to food and nutritional security for traditional coastal communities in Northeast Brazil

 

KEY WORDS:

Small-scale fisheries; Artisanal fisheries; Coastal socio-ecological systems; Overfishing; Micronutrients.

 

PAGES: 137
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Ecologia
SUMMARY:

Fisheries resources constitute a fundamental link between aquatic biodiversity and human populations, representing one of the main benefits that oceans provide to people. However, there is still a considerable gap in our understanding of the role of marine species in the diets of traditional communities, especially in tropical regions. In this study, we assess the contribution of marine fishes to the diets of traditional coastal communities in Northeast Brazil, with a focus on the provision of essential micronutrients. To this end, we adopted an approach that combines semi-structured interviews with fishing households and analyses of the nutritional composition and functional attributes of fish species. In the first chapter, we investigate the potential contribution of the diversity of fishes caught in northeastern estuaries to the diets of coastal communities. We compiled and compared information on the levels of five nutrients (calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, and omega-3) in 17 estuarine fish species, as well as in beef, chicken, pork, and ultra-processed meats. We found that fishes exhibit high nutritional diversity, with elevated nutrient concentrations. Notably, fishes show higher levels of calcium and omega-3 and similar levels of iron, selenium, and zinc compared to other animal protein sources. In the second chapter, we examine the contribution of marine fishes to the diets of fishing communities and how the potential loss of species harvested along the coastal zones of the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco may affect nutrient provision. Using species-level nutritional information, we quantified the nutritional space occupied by fishes and conducted local extinction simulations based on body size, trophic level, vulnerability, nutritional value, and random species removals to estimate impacts on nutritional space. We found that marine fishes are the main source of animal-based foods for fishers, providing approximately one third of their monthly intake of animal protein. Marine fishes may also account for up to two thirds of the nutritional diversity available to fishers, particularly supplying calcium, selenium, and omega-3. Simulations further indicate that the loss of one quarter of the species could lead to reductions of more than 70% in the nutritional space provided by fishes. In the third chapter, we assess the role of reef fishes in the food security of fishing communities in two states of Northeast Brazil: Rio Grande do Norte and Pernambuco. Through interviews with fishing households, we collected data on current frequencies of animal-based food consumption and fish consumption over the last three decades (1990–2020). We also collected samples of 17 reef fish species caught in these states to quantify calcium, iron, selenium, zinc, and omega-3 contents and to evaluate their contribution to recommended daily intakes. We found that fishes are the primary animal resource in fishers’ diets, being consumed on average seven times per week. However, current fish consumption is lower than three decades ago in both states, declining from an average of nine to seven meals per week. Reef fishes can also make relevant contributions to daily nutrient intake, particularly selenium, iron, and zinc. Finally, in the fourth chapter, we propose recommendations for decision-makers in fisheries and marine biodiversity management, highlighting the importance of incorporating species-level nutritional quality data into small-scale fisheries management. Through this work, we aim to provide evidence to support the inclusion of the nutritional value of fisheries resources in assessments of allowable catch levels and in the prioritization of species within multispecies management plans, thereby strengthening food security and the livelihoods of traditional communities in Northeast Brazil.

 

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Externo à Instituição - ALEXANDRE SCHIAVETTI - UESC
Externo à Instituição - FÁBIO DE OLIVEIRA ROQUE - UFMS
Presidente - 2319234 - GUILHERME ORTIGARA LONGO
Externa à Instituição - NATALIA HANAZAKI - UFSC
Interna - 1718747 - PRISCILA FABIANA MACEDO LOPES