Diagnóstico socioeconômica do Projeto de Alginocultura na Comunidade de Barrinha de Mutamba no Município de Icapuí, Ceará

Abstract

The seaweed culture, today, is responsible for high production of seaweed at the world level, driven by the crescent use of the seaweed on the food, cosmetic and medicine industries, which is awaking great economic interest. The coast of Ceará shows favorable conditions to develop the seaweed cultivation, mainly due to the existence of a long coast with adequate marine environment to the cultivation and availability of labor identified to fishery activities existent at coastal communities. This research has as objective to study the socioeconomic aspects of the Seaweed project called “De Corpo e Alga”, located in the community of Barrinha de Mutamba Beach, in the municipality of Icapuí-CE. The socio-economic assessment was based on the demographic, social and economic parameters gathered by a questionnaire applied to 30 respondents, between members and non members of the community of the Barrinha de Mutamba. The results showed that the community (members and non members) had poor life conditions, low school level and family income around one minimum salary, which was earned mainly through out the artisanal fishery. We can conclude that the seaweed farming generated improvements in the people lives, mainly by creating an economic alternative which helps to promote the social inclusion by taking advantages of the local natural resources.