Circuit of Economic Activities in the Lower São Francisco Sergipano: The Dynamics of Middlemen in the Artisanal Fishing Production Chain

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze the role of the middleman in artisanal fishing, as well as the mode of production of the quilombola communities of Resina and Saramém, located in the municipality of Brejo Grande/SE. Method: The methodology adopted comprises qualitative research, of an applied nature, originating from reports from fishermen and middlemen, based on primary data through the application of semi-structured interviews. The reports of these social subjects were collected using the “snowball” technique and, after transcribing, were analyzed using the word cloud created in the Iramuteq software. Results and Discussion: Middlemen depend directly on fishermen, as they are the ones who capture the fish species. In this way, there is a relationship of mutual dependence between the social subjects involved in the marketing of fish. What differentiates one from the other is the financial condition that the middleman presents to the fisherman. Research Implications: This study highlights the role of middlemen as marketing agents responsible for promoting negotiations between artisanal fishermen and traders who, in turn, make it possible to reach the final consumer. In this commercialization process, the artisanal fisherman is the social subject with the greatest economic vulnerability, as his work force is little valued by middlemen. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature as it presents the relationships between the social subjects of artisanal fishing in the quilombola communities of Resina and Saramém, located in the municipality of Brejo Grande/SE. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by enhancing the identity of artisanal fishermen in everyday practice in the communities researched.