Meteorological forecasting and artisanal fishing: Filling knowledge gaps for safety at sea

Abstract Marine artisanal fishing is a risky activity due to the use of small vessels subjected to meteorological conditions. The aim of the present study is thus to investigate whether the language used by official Brazilian forecasting institutes is understood by artisanal fishermen in the northern area of the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil and to propose a better use of forecasts by the fishing community. From June to August 2018, we performed 80 interviews with artisanal fishermen by showing them a meteogram containing forecasting data of interest as well as visiting 18 vessels. Fishermen (97.5 %; n = 78) could not interpret the meteogram, probably due to the technical language used by the official institutes. On their websites, we identified 1) strengths – the use of ludic drawings (sun, clouds, and waves); 2) weaknesses – the use of graphics, tables and captions only understandable to highly educated participants; a unit of measurement (m/s) not used by fishermen; and captions and figures of reduced size, hindering their legibility among those with vision problems. Fishermen obtain forecasting data mainly from traditional knowledge (85 %; n = 68), and few vessels (n = 11) obtain these data via VHF radio (very high frequency). Public policies aimed at data distribution in accessible language must be implemented to contribute to fishermen’s welfare. This approach can in turn prevent boat accidents and strengthen actions to find victims on the Brazilian coast and in other regions of the world.