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Abstract

This work discusses the importance of hunting, currently forbidden, in biodiversity management and in the living conditions of over 10,000 inhabitants, mostly small farmers and fishermen, in the Área de Proteção Ambiental (Environmental Protection Area) de Guaraqueçaba. Many environmental conservation units are located in the area, which belongs to a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, sheltering the largest remaining continuous tract of the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest. Information on hunting, fauna and ecological interactions of game species was obtained in 44 interviews. An attitude favorable to the practice of hunting was observed in 55% of cases. More than 68% of the interviews indicated that hunting is practiced in the area, targeting 27 species, for subsistence, commercial or recreational purposes. Among the 19 species hunted for food, Dasypus novemcinctus, Penelope obscura, Pecari tajacu, Tinamus solitarius and Agouti paca were the most frequently mentioned. Conflict between the local population, and enforcement and consequently the inefficiency of protection laws. Environmental planning and management in the area should then pay greater attention to hunting. By taking into account material and cultural human needs, management of subsistence hunting could improve conservation of game resources.