Pesca esportiva no Vale do Araguaia (GO): potencialidades para o desenvolvimento regional sustentável

Abstract

This study analyzes the post-implementation impacts of public policies aimed at promoting tourism through sport fishing in the Araguaia Valley, state of Goiás, with emphasis on qualification, destination promotion and event-based actions, as well as their contributions to sustainable regional development. The research adopts a qualitative-quantitative, exploratory and descriptive approach, based on an online questionnaire answered by 110 participants directly or indirectly linked to the activity, including fishers, tourists, guides, local business owners, public managers and other stakeholders. Quantitative data were examined through descriptive statistics, while open-ended responses were analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings reveal a predominantly positive perception regarding the implemented actions, especially in terms of increased tourist flow, greater destination visibility, strengthening of sport fishing as a tourism activity, and appreciation of local communities and territory. On the other hand, important challenges remain regarding governance, continuity of actions, tourism infrastructure, professional qualification and environmental sustainability. The study concludes that sport fishing holds significant potential as a driver of sustainable regional development in the Araguaia Valley, provided that it is supported by permanent governance arrangements, socio-environmental monitoring and institutional strengthening, thus preventing its effects from being limited to short-term economic activation.