Local knowledge about gorgonians among sea workers in Guadeloupe islands (French West Indies)
The island of Guadeloupe has schemes promoting the preservation of biodiversity, to protect the reef ecosystems that have been subjected to overfishing. The fishing industry has to incorporate legal requirements into the traditional practices still largely passed on through practical apprenticeship. Gorgonian corals found in the coral reefs of Guadeloupe are the emblematic species of the French West Indies. There is a conflict between different cultures and knowledge in the context of a world fast-changing socio-economically. The fourteen fishermen and wholesale fish-merchants interviewed in 2012 have an empirical knowledge of the coral reefs but have some difficulties to translate it in a scientific language. The words cay, coral and coral reef, long in use, conjure up a soft-focus, dynamic image rather than a precise zoological classification. They describe a recognisable entity, the mixture of components, living and inert, essential to fish. The relationship of the fishermen to the creatures of the seafloor is above all tactile, from handling fishing nets and hoop nets. The disagreeable nature of handling leads to a mistrust reinforced by religious beliefs. The place of the Gorgonians within practical classifications is uncertain, but they are currently classified as plants. A popular classification based on the interviews is being suggested. Despite an inadequate vocabulary and difficulty in description, the reticulated forms shown are easy to recognise visually. Taking on board the messages promoting the protection of the seafloor (apart from the Scleractinian corals) is therefore difficult. The Gorgonian corals however have two usage values. They are essential for the well-being of the fish and nurture local knowledge useful for tourism.