Artisanal fishing: environment education as prevention of occupational risks in the state of Parana, Brazil

This study applied environmental education in artisanal fishing communities in the coastline of Parana, intending to help them to identify the occupational risks they are exposed to, how to protect themselves and how and why to protect the environment. There are several occupational risks in this profession but this study focused on specific evaluations of hearing alterations suffered by fishermen who live on the coastline of Parana. The environmental effects caused by humans brings up several health problems that make the professional activity of artisanal fishing more difficult and dangerous; the great distance from shore, working patterns, weather conditions, quality of life, level of education and financial situation. Their knowledge of the occupational risks and how to avoid them through environment education was the aim of this study.