Assessing quality-of-life of fishing livelihoods under moratorium: a case study among piracatinga fishers in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract Despite the critical role of artisanal fishing in Amazonian livelihoods, limited research has addressed the Quality-of-Life of fishers affected by restrictive environmental policies. This study examines the Quality of Life of piracatinga ( Calophysus macropterus ) fishers in the case study of a riverine community in the Brazilian Amazon, particularly in the context of a federal moratorium imposed due to unsustainable fishing practices. Using a snowball sampling method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with fishers and representatives of cold storage facilities. A novel Quality-of-Life Index (QLI) was developed, incorporating socioeconomic, environmental, and access-based indicators tailored to the local context. Results reveal that the moratorium has significantly reduced household income, heightened social vulnerability, and contributed to informal and potentially illegal fishing activities. The calculated QLI for the community (0.432) underscores stark disparities when compared to urban centers such as Manaus (QLI = 0.91). These findings suggest that environmental conservation policies, when designed without adequate socioeconomic compensation or community participation, risk undermining both ecological objectives and local livelihoods. This research contributes by proposing a context-sensitive Quality-of-Life metric and offers policy insights for balancing conservation and human development in socio-ecologically complex regions.