THE IMPACT OF SHRIMP TRAWL BYCATCH ON FISH REPRODUCTION IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

• Autor(a) principal: Bomfim, Aline da Costa
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Outros Autores: Farias, Daniel Solon Dias, Morais, Iara Cecília da Costa, Rossi, Silmara, Gavilan, Simone Almeida, Silva, Flávio José de Lima
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Biota Amazônia
• Texto Completo: https://periodicos.unifap.br/index.php/biota/article/view/4317
• topic: coastal zone; diversity; ichthyofauna; reproductive stages; sexual maturity.

In the west coast of Rio Grande do Norte many small-scale fisheries targeting mostly shrimp but accidentally catch a large number of fish. Our aim was to evaluate the Ichthyofauna composition and distribution in Potiguar Basin, northeastern Brazil, in order to elucidate the impact of bycatch on fish reproduction. The study area was divided into four stretches (A, B, C and D), and we sampled 1,426 specimens classified into 10 orders, 23 families and 49 species. We obtained biometric data and gonadal tissue in order to determine the reproductive aspects of the studied fish. Stretch A had the highest values of evenness and dominance; the highest values of abundance, biomass, richness and diversity were found in stretches B, C and D. Analysis based on faunal similarity revealed three groups: I (found in stretches B and D), II (C), and III (A). In regards to reproductive phase, 76.3% of the specimens were classified as 'immature’, 16.7% as ‘maturing’ and 7% as ‘mature’. Through the anatomical and histological analyzes of the gonads and the size of first maturation, we verified that the species Pomadasys corvinaeformes, Menticirrhus littoralis and Larimus breviceps were negatively related to fishing activity; on the other hand, Pellona harroweri was positively related. Our findings indicate that the incidental capture of some non-target species can affects predominantly individuals considered immature, i.e. without reproductive potencial, an indicative of non-sustainable fishing in region.Keywords: coastal zone; diversity; ichthyofauna; reproductive stages; sexual maturity.