CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA PESCA E PERFIL DOS PESCADORES ARTESANAIS DO MUNICÍPIO DE CARUTAPERA, LITORAL OCIDENTAL MARANHENSE, BRASIL = CHARACTERIZATION OF THE ARTISANAL FISHERY AND PROFILE OF ARTISANAL FISHERMEN IN THE MUNICIPALITY CARUTAPERA, WESTERN COAST OF MARANHÃO, BRAZIL

No litoral ocidental maranhense a pesca apresenta grande relevância social e econômica. Neste artigo objetivou-se caracterizar a pesca artesanal do município de Carutapera (Maranhão, Brasil), realizando aplicações de 50 questionários, voltados ao entendimento sobre o perfil socioeconômico dos pescadores e pescadoras, das estruturas de pesca e da comercialização do pescado. Os resultados revelaram que 70% eram do gênero masculino com média de idade de 43 anos. No que concerne ao nível de escolaridade dos pescadores e pescadoras entrevistados, 36% relataram ter ensino fundamental completo, dos quais 28% iniciaram o ensino médio e não terminaram; e 36% possuíam apenas o ensino fundamental incompleto. O índice de analfabetos foi de apenas 2%. A pesca era praticada com exclusividade por 52% deles, enquanto outros exerciam atividades como: construção civil (27%), conserto de redes de pesca (13%), agricultura (6%) e carpintaria (2%). Em relação à naturalidade, 60% eram naturais do estado do Maranhão e 40% do estado do Pará. O apetrecho de pesca mais utilizado nas capturas foi a rede de emalhar (24%) e os menos utilizados a zangaria (2%) e a faca (2%), esse último usado principalmente para a remoção de ostras. Quanto ao tipo de embarcação, a maioria dos pescadores e pescadoras artesanais faziam uso de canoas motorizadas e barcos de pequeno porte a motor, com comprimento variando de 8 metros a 11 metros. Entre as espécies mais capturadas está a pescada amarela (Cynoscion acoupa), espécie que tem um alto valor comercial, porém outras como a cururuca (Micropogonias furnieri) e peixe-pedra (Genyatremus luteus) são espécies capturadas durante todo o ano com boa produção. Um dos grandes problemas relatados é a falta de estrutura organizacional, evidenciando o descaso que se encontra a pesca artesanal no município.AbstractIn western coast of Maranhão, fishing has great social and economic relevance. In this article, aimed to characterize the artisanal fishing in the municipality of Carutapera (Maranhão, Brazil), using 50 questionnaires to understand the socioeconomic profile of fishermen and fisherwomen, fishing structures and fish trade. The results showed that 70% where male with an average age of 43 years. Regarding education level, 36% reported having completed elementary school, of which 28% started high school but did not complete it; and 36% had only incomplete primary education. The illiteracy rate was 2%. Fishing was practiced exclusively by 52% of them, while others had activities such as: civil construction (27%), repairing fishing nets (13%), agriculture (6%) and carpentry (2%). Regarding naturalness, 60% were from Maranhão state and 40% were from Pará state. The most used fishing tackle in the catches was the gill net (24%) and the least used were the zangraria (2%) and the knife (2%), the latter mainly used for the removal of oysters. Regarding type of vessel, most fishermen and fisherwomen used motorized canoes and small motor boats, with a length ranging from 8 meters to 11 meters. Among the most caught species is acoupa weakfish (Cynoscion acoupa), a species that has a high commercial value, but others such as whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) and torroto grunt (Genyatremus luteus) are species captured throughout the year with suitable production. One of the major problems reported is the lack of organizational structure, showing the neglect of artisanal fishing in the municipality.

Small-scale fisheries in Madeira: recreational vs artisanal fisheries

Small-scale recreational and artisanal fisheries are popular activities in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, and to date no information is available on their impact on regional coastal ecosystems. Through fishers’ surveys and official registers of fish landings, we described and characterized these fisheries in Madeira, comparing artisanal and recreational fisheries. In 2017, artisanal boats landed 91 species in fishing ports, while recreational catches landed 58 species. The most frequent catches were Dentex gibbosus, Phycis phycis and Pagrus pagrus for artisanal fishery and P. pagrus, Serranus atricauda and Diplodus spp. for recreational fishery. Comparing the same techniques, artisanal fishery always showed higher catch per unit effort values than recreational boat fishery. Nevertheless, the low number of artisanal fishery boats in comparison with the recreational ones reflected the lower total landings of the artisanal fishery, which in 2017 were 62.3 t, compared with the 509.8 t estimated catches for the recreational fishery. Though the estimated recreational fishing data were based on surveys and thus subject to various biases, this activity seems to negatively affect coastal ecosystems and, together with artisanal fishing, exerts a combined pressure on targeted species. Improved legislation for both fisheries is essential for an appropriate management of resources.

Weight-length relationship and condition factor of Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus 1758, Mugilidea) in the special wildlife reserve of Gueumbeul (RSFG) in Senegal

The weight-length relationship and the condition factors are fundamental parameters with several uses in biology, fish ecology and fisheries management. Thus, in the Special Wildlife Reserve of Gueumbeul (SWRG) in Senegal, the weight-length relationship and condition factor were established for Mugil cephalus (Linnaeus 1758). A total of 311 individuals (97 females and 214 males) of M. cephalus were collected by the artisanal fishery using cast nets. The total length and weight ranged from 11.1 to 25 cm and 15.9 to 145.26 g, respectively. The results showed that in the SWRG, both in females (b = 2.60) and males (b = 2.899), M. cephalus had negative allometric growth. The analysis of variance showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the coefficients of determination between females (R = 0.96) and males (R = 0.84). Condition factors (K) were 3.07 and 1.23 for males and females respectively for M. cephalus in the reserve.

Influence of Seascape on Coastal Lagoon Fisheries: the Role of Habitat Mosaic in the Venice Lagoon

Fisheries are a staple human activity supported by coastal lagoons. Together with water quality and trophic status, lagoon morphology is acknowledged as one of the main ecological drivers of fishery yields; however, the role of lagoon seascape structure is still poorly understood. This paper investigates how morphological variables, habitat distribution and seascape diversity and complexity affect yields of artisanal fishery performed with fyke nets in the Venice Lagoon (northern Adriatic Sea, Italy). Two spatial scales were considered in the analysis, with water quality parameters (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, water residence times, N, P and chlorophyll-a concentrations) being measured at a fine, fyke-net scale and morphological (average bottom elevation and sediment grain size) and habitat features (habitat proportion, diversity and complexity) being measured at a broader, seascape scale. Generalised linear mixed models were employed to model 8 years of nekton and green crab catches, disentangling the role of broad-scale morphology and seascape from that of fine-scale water quality. Broad-scale variables clearly influenced fishery target species. Among them, lagoon residents were associated with specific morphological and habitat characteristics, while marine migrants showed a stronger link with overall habitat diversity and complexity. This evidence emphasises how artisanal fishery in the Venice Lagoon relies on the conservation of morphological and habitat heterogeneity. Moreover, it highlights how habitat restoration performed at the seascape level should also be taken into account, in addition to controlling hydrology and water quality, when managing fishery resources in coastal lagoons.

Stock mapping, size structure and biological parameters of the clam Polititapes aureus in the shellfish production area of the southern Tunisian waters (Central Mediterranean)

The clam Polititapes aureus is one of the most abundant shellfish species in the southern Tunisian waters. Its current exploitation status and management are becoming a major concern for fishing industry in Tunisia. The significant ecological role of the species and possible future commercial benefits require a better knowledge of its stock. This research is the first attempt to investigate its current status in an area with the largest shellfish production. The obtained results showed a scattered distribution. The stock density ranged from 0 to 124 ind. m−2, and biomass values varied from 0 to 300 g m−2. This results in a remarkable biomass of 201.2 (± 64.6) t and high abundance reaching 91.3 ± 32.9 million individuals, estimated an area of 4182 ha. The species distribution was also investigated, with the size ranging from 4.9 to 35.34 mm. The overall sex ratio (F:M) was 1.26:1, which significantly deviated different from parity (1:1). The main environmental factors were identified and several abiotic parameters were found to strongly affect the spread of the clam species. The clam reproduce well and is expected to almost meet the domestic market demand through artisanal fishery.

A Review on Ray Capture According to Fishing Gear Worldwide

HighlightRay capture worldwide using variety fishing gear.Efficiency of fishing gear used in capture ray species among countries.The maturation size for female and male ray according to species present.Bycatch issues of elasmobranch in small and large scale fisheries.Suitable fishing gear to capture ray species at particular country.AbstractA coral reef is one of the important ecosystems. However coral Gillnets are usually used as a fishing gear by an artisanal fishery in Malaysia. This gear is commonly used by most countries. This paper discussed the rays capture worldwide by using a variety of fishing gear and also bycatch issues that commonly happen. The efficiency of the fishing gear used in capture ray species is compared and discussed among the countries. This paper distinguishes the maturation size for the female and male ray according to the species presence. The bycatch scenario is also discussed as the majority of this elasmobranch (shark and ray) which is caught as bycatch in both small scale fisheries (gill nets, long lines and hooks) and large scale fisheries (bottom trawl and purse seine). This paper explains the suitable type of fishing gear to use to capture ray species in a particular country.