Sagitta otolith of three demersal species in a tropical environment

The objective of this study was to describe the morphology and morphometry of saggitta otoliths of Polydactylus virginicus, Menticirrhus cuiaranensis and Conodon nobilis in a tropical environment. Fishes were caught with rod and reel in competitive fishing events promoted in 2014-2015 along the coast of Sergipe. A total of 174 pairs of sagitta otoliths of P. virginicus, 181 of M. cuiaranensis and 77 of C. nobilis was extracted. In general, the sagitta otoliths of all three species analyzed here presented different morphology and shape indices. The permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) demonstrated significant differences among species and ontogenetic phases within each species using morphometry and shape indices. The linear discriminant analysis (LDA) presented a 98.3% correct reclassification of the otoliths by species

Understanding what is what in marine shrimp fisheries

Shrimps are the main fishery resource in marine waters off Sergipe (northeastern Brazil), where they are landed in three categories: ‘espigão’, ‘escolha’ and ‘pistola’. The objective of this study was to identify which species are landed in each category, relating to the perception of stakeholders, and to analyze their effect on the interpretation of historical catch statistics. Samples of 3kg were collected monthly for each category before landing in Aracaju (May/2015-May/2016) to identify the shrimp species caught. All specimens were identified, measured (carapace length - mm) and weighed (total weight - g), and had their sex determined. We interviewed attendees of two meetings promoted by the Programa de Monitoramento Participativo do Desembarque Pesqueiro in Aracaju and Pirambu, the two main ports where shrimp catches are landed in Sergipe, and asked for their perception of shrimp species included in each category. Finally, we used all shrimp catch data available for Sergipe in a national reconstructed database to improve the reconstruction based on the species composition estimated here for the main shrimp species. The analysis of each category indicated the presence of commercially important species (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri, Penaeus subtilis, Penaeus brasiliensis, and Penaeus schmitti), and also species of no local commercial interest: Exhippolysmata oplophoroides, Nematopalaemon schmitti, Rimapenaeus constrictus, and Sicyonia dorsalis. The category ‘espigão’ was dominated by X. kroyeri (94.2%) and ‘escolha’ by P. subtilis (95.3%). ‘pistola’ was mostly P. subtilis (78.3%), almost all of them females, followed by P. schmitti (12.3%). The perception of stakeholders was correct for ‘espigão’ and ‘escolha’, but not for ‘pistola’, as 38% of the respondents classified it as ‘camarãobranco’ (P. schmitti). The mean carapace length for all species together was: 18.90mm (‘espigão’), 22.34mm (‘escolha’), and 30.96mm (‘pistola’). Decreasing catches of X. kroyeri, P. subtilis and P. schmitti in the last years raise concern

Estudio experimental sobre pesca fantasma en arrecifes costeros rocosos en el sur de Brasil

A ghost fishing experiment was conducted using gillnets in a rocky reef off the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. Scuba divers monitored changes in the structure of the nets and catches for 92 days. One hundred and twenty-six entangled animals were observed, including target and non-target fishing species: 13 teleosts (N = 52; 43%) and four crustaceans (N = 74; 57%). The crab Menippe nodifrons was the most frequently entangled species (N = 36; 28%). Entanglement rates decreased over time following a logarithmic model for fishes and crustaceans, and an exponential model for both taxa combined, attributed to the degradation, and tangling of the nets and biofouling. The area of the net decreased linearly over time, collapsing after 92 days. This study provides the first experimental evaluation of the impacts of ghost fishing caused by gillnets in Brazilian rocky reefs.Se realizó un experimento de pesca fantasma utilizando redes de enmalle en un arrecife rocoso frente al estado de Santa Catarina, en el sur de Brasil. Los buzos monitorearon los cambios en la estructura de las redes y las capturas durante 92 días. Se observaron ciento veintiséis animales enmallados, entre especies de pesca objetivo y no objetivo: 13 teleósteos (N = 52; 43%) y cuatro crustáceos (N = 74; 57%). El cangrejo Menippe nodifrons fue la especie más frecuentemente enmallada (N = 36; 28%). Las tasas de enmalle disminuyeron con el tiempo siguiendo un modelo logarítmico para peces y crustáceos, y un modelo exponencial para ambos taxones combinados, atribuidos a la degradación y enredo de las redes y bioincrustaciones. El área de la red disminuyó linealmente con el tiempo, la cual colapsó después de 92 días. Este estudio proporciona la primera evaluación experimental de los impactos de la pesca fantasma causada por redes de enmalle en los arrecifes rocosos de Brasil

Capturas não reguladas provenientes da pesca recreativa do nordeste do Brasil

Submitted by Francine Oliveira ([email protected]) on 2011-04-20T00:47:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 UNREGULATED CATCHES FROM RECREATIONAL FISHERIES OFF NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL.pdf: 281801 bytes, checksum: ac578e1796be6009fdee2d2514aa6d57 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Barbara Milbrath([email protected]) on 2011-04-20T16:44:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 UNREGULATED CATCHES FROM RECREATIONAL FISHERIES OFF NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL.pdf: 281801 bytes, checksum: ac578e1796be6009fdee2d2514aa6d57 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2011-04-20T16:44:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 UNREGULATED CATCHES FROM RECREATIONAL FISHERIES OFF NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL.pdf: 281801 bytes, checksum: ac578e1796be6009fdee2d2514aa6d57 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010Estimativas globais acuradas das capturas provenientes da pesca recreativa não existem, uma vez que a maior parte dos países não tem a obrigação de registrar as capturas das atividades recreativas. Um aumento do conhecimento sobre o impacto da pesca recreativa que, em alguns casos, pode superar o impacto da pesca comercial, tem levado alguns países a coletar informações sobre as capturas recreativas. Tal sistema ainda é inexistente em países tais como o Brasil. A pesca recreativa no nordeste do Brasil é principalmente costeira e estruturada em torno de clubes de pesca, os quais promovem anualmente mais de 100 torneios de pesca. Estes torneios são realizados durante todo o ano, mas são menos freqüentes durante a estação chuvosa e com ventos intensos (julho a setembro), e durante a época das férias locais (dezembro a janeiro). As capturas destes torneios atingiram um pico de três toneladas em 1998. Não existe informação detalhada sobre as capturas por espécie. Estas estimativas de capturas de torneios são preliminares, uma vez que não incluem todos os estados nem a pesca oceânica.Accurate global estimates of recreational catches are missing, as most countries do not have the mandate to report catches from recreational activities. Increasing awareness of the impact of recreational fisheries, which in some cases can surpass that from commercial fisheries, has led some countries to collect information on recreational catches. Such a system is still lacking in countries such as Brazil. Recreational fisheries in northeastern Brazil are mainly shore-based and structured around fishing clubs, which promote more than 100 fishing tournaments annually. These tournaments are run year-round, but are less frequent during the rainy, windy season (July to September) and the local holiday season (December to January). Catches from these tournaments amounted to a peak of three tonnes in 1998, which added to the previously estimated 1,147 tonnes caught outside tournaments, are much lower than those from commercial fisheries (131 thousand tonnes). There is no detailed information on catches per species. These estimates of tournament catches are preliminary, as they do not include all States and oceanic fisheries

Unregulated catches from recreational fisheries off northeastern Brazil

Estimativas globais acuradas das capturas provenientes da pesca recreativa não existem, uma vez que a maior parte dos países não tem a obrigação de registrar as capturas das atividades recreativas. Um aumento do conhecimento sobre o impacto da pesca recreativa que, em alguns casos, pode superar o impacto da pesca comercial, tem levado alguns países a coletar informações sobre as capturas recreativas. Tal sistema ainda é inexistente em países tais como o Brasil. A pesca recreativa no nordeste do Brasil é principalmente costeira e estruturada em torno de clubes de pesca, os quais promovem anualmente mais de 100 torneios de pesca. Estes torneios são realizados durante todo o ano, mas são menos freqüentes durante a estação chuvosa e com ventos intensos (julho a setembro), e durante a época das férias locais (dezembro a janeiro). As capturas destes torneios atingiram um pico de três toneladas em 1998. Não existe informação detalhada sobre as capturas por espécie. Estas estimativas de capturas de torneios são preliminares, uma vez que não incluem todos os estados nem a pesca oceânica.Accurate global estimates of recreational catches are missing, as most countries do not have the mandate to report catches from recreational activities. Increasing awareness of the impact of recreational fisheries, which in some cases can surpass that from commercial fisheries, has led some countries to collect information on recreational catches. Such a system is still lacking in countries such as Brazil. Recreational fisheries in northeastern Brazil are mainly shore-based and structured around fishing clubs, which promote more than 100 fishing tournaments annually. These tournaments are run year-round, but are less frequent during the rainy, windy season (July to September) and the local holiday season (December to January). Catches from these tournaments amounted to a peak of three tonnes in 1998, which added to the previously estimated 1,147 tonnes caught outside tournaments, are much lower than those from commercial fisheries (131 thousand tonnes). There is no detailed information on catches per species. These estimates of tournament catches are preliminary, as they do not include all States and oceanic fisheries

Información de base in situ sobre la pesca recreativa costera y comparación con eventos competitivos en Ilhéus, sur de Bahía, Brasil

This study analyzed the profile of recreational fishers on-site in Ilhéus, northeastern Brazil, their fishing habits, and catch composition. Interviews were conducted along the coast of Ilhéus from December 2006 to December 2008 with all fishers encountered and their catch identified and measured. A total of 227 fishers were interviewed in 23 days. Most of the interviewees were men (93.4%), residing in Ilhéus (84.9%). They preferred fishing in the morning, weekends, and summer. Shrimp was the main bait used. Fishers were generalists, but most of the catch included Polydactylus virginicus, Ariidae, and Menticirrhus littoralis. Catches observed during the interviews allowed to estimate an annual catch of 1.4 t. A proportion of 88% of fishers practiced catch-and-release, mainly small fishes. Only 10% of them carried license for recreational fishing and about 5.3% were members of fishing clubs. This provides a unique opportunity to compare our results with those from another study conducted in the same locality during the same period with members of fishing clubs. These fishers used very small hooks during competitive events, which resulted in the capture of smaller fishes than was reported here on-site. This study sets a baseline to analyze temporal changes in fishing habits and catch.Este estudio analizó el perfil de los pescadores recreativos in situ en Ilhéus, noreste de Brasil, sus hábitos de pesca y la composición de las capturas. Se realizaron entrevistas a lo largo de la costa de Ilhéus desde diciembre de 2006 a diciembre de 2008 con todos los pescadores encontrados y su captura fue identificada y medida. Se entrevistó a un total de 227 pescadores en 23 días. La mayoría de los entrevistados eran hombres (93,4%), residentes en Ilhéus (84,9%). Preferían pescar por la mañana, los fines de semana y el verano. El camarón fue el cebo principal utilizado. Los pescadores eran generalistas, pero la mayor parte de la captura incluía Polydactylus virginicus, Ariidae y Menticirrhus littoralis. Las capturas observadas durante las entrevistas permitieron estimar una captura anual de 1,4 t. Una proporción del 88% de los pescadores practicó la captura y liberación, principalmente de peces pequeños. Solo el 10% de ellos tenía licencia para la pesca recreativa y alrededor del 5,3% eran miembros de clubes de pesca. Esto brinda una oportunidad única para comparar nuestros resultados con los de otro estudio realizado en la misma localidad durante el mismo período con miembros de clubes de pesca. Estos pescadores utilizaron anzuelos muy pequeños durante los eventos competitivos, lo que resultó en la captura de peces más pequeños de lo que se informó aquí in situ. Este estudio establece una línea de base para analizar los cambios temporales en los hábitos de pesca y la captura

Analysis of reproductive patterns of fishes from three Large Marine Ecosystems

Fish reproductive biology plays an important role for fishery management, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to compile all available information and analyze reproduction patterns of marine fishes in three Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs): North, East, and South Brazil Shelves. We tested the hypothesis that the onset and duration of spawning season differ among these three LMEs; compared the ratio between length at first maturity and asymptotic length with the global trend observed; analyzed sex ratios; and tested whether females allocate more energy into reproduction than males. The following data were compiled from published sources and ‘grey’ literature: sex ratio, spawning season, gonadosomatic indices (GSI), and length at first maturity (Lm). The reproductive load was estimated as Lm/L∞. The median extension of the spawning season in the North, East, and South Brazil Shelves were 6.5, 6.0 and 5.0 months, respectively, with higher frequency during austral summer in South Brazil. Marine fishes from these three LMEs can be grouped in summer and non-summer spawners. About ninety six percent of the cases the reproductive load was between 0.3 and 0.8, which is slightly shifted toward smaller values, compared with the global range of 0.4-0.9. Gonadosomatic indices for females were higher. Contrary to some expectations, there is seasonality in the reproduction of tropical fishes. However, seasonality is stronger in southern populations. Size at first maturity is not efficiently used as a tool for fisheries management in the ecosystems analyzed

Pesca recreativa competitiva desde la costa en el sur de Bahía, Brasil: un estudio de referencia

This study describes shore-based competitive fishing events in Ilhéus, southern Bahia (Brazil), including catch composition, and provides information on the profile of recreational fishers participating in these events. Information was collected in all events promoted by the Clube de Pesca de Ilhéus (CLUPESIL) in 2007-2008. A total of 26 competitive fishing events were organized during this period, with 47 species caught. The top species were: Cathorops spixii, Menticirrhus littoralis, Trachinotus goodei, Eucinostomus melanopterus, Polydactylus virginicus, Atherinella brasiliensis, and Eucinostomus argenteus. These seven species represented 87% of the total catch in number and 78% in weight. Menticirrhus littoralis and Polydactylus virginicus are species of commercial interest and their catch was dominated by juveniles. Local recreational fishers were predominately middle-aged men, who tended to use small hooks and mainly shrimp as bait. They were consumption-oriented, but also released small fishes. During competitions, fishers used even smaller hooks. Most of them perceived shrimp trawling as the main factor affecting recreational fisheries. The use of larger hooks and a minimum fish size of 20 cm are suggested to decrease the capture of juveniles, mainly those species of commercial importance. This study sets a baseline from which new studies can be proposed to access the current status of local recreational fisheries.Este estudio describe eventos competitivos de pesca desde la costa en Ilhéus, sur de Bahía (Brasil), incluida la composición de la captura, y proporciona información sobre el perfil de los pescadores recreativos que participan en estos eventos. La información se recopiló en todos los eventos promovidos por el Clube de Pesca de Ilhéus (CLUPESIL) en 2007-2008. Se organizaron un total de 26 eventos de pesca competitiva durante este período con 47 especies capturadas. Las principales especies fueron: Cathorops spixii, Menticirrhus littoralis, Trachinotus goodei, Eucinostomus melanopterus, Polydactylus virginicus, Atherinella brasiliensis y Eucinostomus argenteus. Estas siete especies representaron el 87% de la captura total en número y el 78% en peso. Menticirrhus littoralis y Polydactylus virginicus son especies de interés comercial y su captura estuvo dominada por juveniles. Los pescadores recreativos locales eran predominantemente hombres de mediana edad, que solían usar anzuelos pequeños y principalmente camarones como carnada. Estaban orientados al consumo, pero también liberaron peces pequeños. Durante las competiciones, los pescadores usaron anzuelos incluso más pequeños. La mayoría de ellos percibió a el arrastre de camarones como el principal factor que afecta la pesca recreativa. Se sugiere el uso de anzuelos más grandes y un tamaño mínimo de 20 cm para disminuir la captura de juveniles, principalmente los de especies de importancia comercial. Este estudio establece una línea de base a partir de la cual se pueden proponer nuevos estudios para acceder al estado actual de la pesca recreativa local

First record of the cliff crab Plagusia depressa (Fabricius, 1775) (Decapoda: Plagusiidae) from the coast of Sergipe, Brazil

ABSTRACT The cliff crab Plagusia depressa (Fabricius, 1775) is recorded for the first time from the state of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. This new record fills the gap in the species distribution between Pernambuco (8°S) and Bahia (12°S)