Occurrence of epipelagic fishery resources on the position 22º11’S í 039º55’W, Brazil

Abstract

At a fixed station over the 700 m isobathymetric depth, 60 nautical miles off Cape of São Tomé, Rio de Janeiro, a prospective fishery with hook and line at the surface was conducted during one and a half year and obtained the best catches at night. Thunnus atlanticus and Caranx crysus were the most frequent species and were recognized as night feeders. The diurnal feeders Coryphaena hippurus and Thunnus albacares were also caught more frequently at night probably due to the ship light attraction. The predominant fishes found in the stomachs of the fish caught at night were Myctophum affine and M. obtusirostre and the pelagic shrimp Oplophorus spinicauda, which could represent potential fishery resources. It is recommended experimental night fishery with light attraction to evaluate the fishery potential of the area.