Portuguese colonization in the Cabo Frio region (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and the development of fishing activity

Abstract

The Cabo Frio region, the object area of this study, is located in the coastal lowlands of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The natural conditions, such as the existence of the Araruama lagoonal system and the occurrence of the resurgence phenomenon on the seashore, provided a rich area for exploitation of marine resources, promoting human settlement and the subsequent development of lagoonal and coastal fishing. Despite the activity was accomplished by indigenous people established in the region, in the seventeen century, with the arrival of Portuguese settlers to Cabo Frio, its development was observed. Taking into account the characteristics of the environment in the provision of fish resources, we intend to analyse diachronically the evolution of the fishing practice, through the investigation of historical documentation.