Small-scale fishing at Humaitá municipality, Middle Madeira River, Amazonas, Brazil

Abstract

The artisanal fishing has socioeconomic expression in the Amazon region. There are gaps in knowledge about this activity in small urban centers, especially in areas with influence of projects. The study aimed to assess and identify the characteristics of this activity and compare the effort, costs and revenues of the fishing fleet in the municipality of Humaitá, Amazonas. We analyzed landings recorded by Colony of Fisheries and the Federal University of Rondônia, between 2001 and 2013. The fishing is multi-species and is practiced in small boats, canoes (mean 7.53m) and fishing boats (mean 11.5m). The production varied between 178t and 298t, monthly CPUE was 10 and 43 kg/fisherman*day, and the income was R$397,50 and R$2.375 for motorized canoes and fishing boats, respectively. Differences between types of fleet and the characteristics in the activity compared to other regions of Madeira River Basin reinforce the need for monitoring and differentiated management strategies.