Does fish still matter? Changes in the diet of two brazilian fishing communities

Coastal communities are experiencing rapid changes on their livelihood due to the degradation of coastal areas and growing tourism. We analyze the changes in the diet of two fishing communities from the southeastern Brazilian coast, in regard to their consumption of animal protein. Using multivariate methods, we followed the diet of 32 households through the 24-hour recall method (three days per month, September 1998 to August 1999) in order to compare the niche breadth of the communities, and to verify the relationships between fish consumption and socioeconomic characteristics. The nutritional quality of the diets is analyzed. Even with the partial abandonment of fishing activities, fishing activity still guides fish consumption. Nutritional adequacy is above the recommended levels for protein intake, but is below it for food energy. Non-local industrialized food items influence the increase of the niche breadth. The abandonment of livelihood activities that historically assured Caiçara's self-sufficiency are resulting in the food delocalization.