Ethnomathematics in fishing work practices: report of experiences and memories

Abstract

This article presents an experience report. It was elaborated from qualitative research involving experience reports and interviews with fishermen and netters of Provetá Beach, in Ilha Grande - in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeir. This region concentrates large amount of caiçaras. We present analyzes of the memories and working experiences of fishing, which are passed from generations to generations of fishermen, in an attempt to preserve the culture and survival of this community. This allowed us to verify a large amount of knowledge that can be considered as mathematical, imbricated in this knowledge and doing. From preparing to leave the vessel, choosing the best place to launch the net until its return when the owner of the vessel is settled and the results are shared among the crew. But even before fishing itself, a host of other knowledge is involved and applied to the work activities of this community, for example in the form of construction and patching of nets. As a theoretical support for the identification and analysis of this knowledge, we use the Ethnomathematics Program, which allowed us to verify the emergence of cultural customs involving diverse counting and measurement practices, often distant from the so- called school knowledge.