Analysis of the onshore competitive recreational fishery in Sergipe

Abstract

This study aimed at identifying the species caught in competitive fishing events and to analyze the profile of recreational fishers in Sergipe. Sampling took place during nine rounds of the XXI Campeonato Sergipano de Pesca da ASPA-BV in 2014. Sampled fishes were identified, measured, weighed, and had their sex and maturation stage identified. A total of 2,794 fishes (449 kg) were caught, from which 61.7% were sampled. The most commonly caught species were Sciades proops, Menticirrhus littoralis, and Polydactylus virginicus. The minimum catch size (TL_min) was set at 15 cm. At this size, many specimens of these three species were immature and thus we suggest an increase of the minimum size to 20 cm. A questionnaire was used to describe the profile of local anglers. All recreational fishers interviewed (75) were males, 16-64 years old and mainly with monthly mean income of 6-10 minimum wages. All surveyed anglers go fishing in coastal and estuarine regions, 52 in fresh waters and 40 in oceanic areas. The main target species cited by respondents, which are also caught, were mojarra, snook, jacks, and mackerels, and the main baits used were Litopenaeus vannamei, Mugil spp., and Clupeiformes.