The artisanal fishing of black drum (Pogonias cromis, Sciaenidae) in estuary Lagoon of Patos, Brazil

Abstract

The increasing in the abundance of non-resident fish in the estuarine area attracts the interest of the fishing fleet, which determines the fishing seasons in the same period of increasing abundance. The black drum (Pogonias cromis) is an estuarine-dependent fish, (threatened with extinction due to) overexploitation in southern Brazil. In the estuary of Patos Lagoon, the scarcity of data on the biology and fishery species (hinder) the formulation of management plans. This study aims to analyze the artisanal fisheries of the black drum in the estuary of Patos Lagoon, by analyzing CPUE changes and the different compositions of juveniles, adults, males and females landed, relating them to the period of abundance increasing in the region. The fishing effort is the main cause for variations in the abundance of black drum in the estuary of Patos Lagoon, where the largest catches occur inside and outside the breeding season. The composition of landings varies throughout the year, females and adult fish predominate during the reproductive season, during the rest of the year no significantdifference between males and females was found, and juveniles are predominant in the landings. The mean age of fish also changed, with higher values in spawning period. We conclude that these fisheries would prevent the recovery of the stock.