due to the artisanal fishermen's vast coverage of rio de janeiro's coastal ecosystems, and their adaptable techniques, they catch a huge variety of different fish and sea creatures, helping keep the carioca diet rich in aquatic treasures. some of the most common are sardines, sea bass, swordfish, and shrimp. the majority of their catch is sold between the fishing communities themselves, with a small amount usually taken home to share with their families.

whilst still an important aspect of rio de janeiro's economy, life as an artisanal carioca fishermen is becoming more and more difficult, due to a number of factors that are having negative impacts on their craft. the biggest concerns for the fishermen are the loss of natural environment to operate in, mainly due to real-estate expansion and tourism, and the pollution of the areas in which they can fish, as a result of industrialization.