Alice White
There are many professions. We have already written about both the unusual and the unpleasant. This occupation can be attributed to the latter. Jose Benedito’s job is to catch crabs. And this has to be done in the mangroves. These are such flooded areas located on the coasts of the seas, on the banks of rivers.
Mangroves are characterized by complex ecosystems, the presence of alluvial soils, sedimentary deposits, lack of oxygen, and often an excess of light.
It is in such a liquid that the 39-year-old Brazilian crab catcher has to hunt. In this place in the state of Pará. In this area, there is just a wide mouth of the Amazon; fresh river waters are mixed here with salty Atlantic waters.
The whole long day Jose wanders in a liquid, with his hands constantly in the brackish water. All kinds of flying insects are an integral part of this biotope. The only way to ward off this gnawing mosquito is to constantly smoke a stinking homemade cigarette.
The size of the catch will greatly depend on the season. And now, at the end of it, it is already becoming very difficult to get the norm.
This day ends with the delivery of the catch to the road. There, bunches of crabs are put up for sale at $ 11 per hundred. A ridiculous price, considering that Jose catches an average of about 150 heads per day.
