Characterization of artisanal fishing and Penaeidae shrimpers' in saltpans in Macau CITY - Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

The Fishing for peneid shrimps/prawns in water catchments used as saltpans is fairly common in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. In this research, during the time of March until October in 2011were applied 40 semi-structured questionnaires to shrimpers who work at SALINOR, in Macau/RN.  Were raised some important information through bibliographic review about the extraction of salt and oil activity in the mangroves and its surroundings.  The artisanal peneid fishery occurs during the night, with more than 100 fishermen who work in pair using an artificial light. The annual average shrimp produced is 4kg of shrimp/night/casting net. However, during the shrimp crop, it used to be20kg of shrimp/night/casting net. One of the more common specie is Farfantepenaeus brasiliensis (61%), being the Farfantepenaeus subtilis (24%) the second one. Furthermore, all those fishermen affirmed that they do not encourage their children and grandchildren to work as a fisherman or in this branch. Finally, it is recommended to continuing the process of artisanal fishery since its huge socioeconomic importance. Moreover, the saltpans work as a trap, so the prawns could not come back to the sea. Consequently, the prawns could not conclude their biological cycle.