DYNAMICS OF COMMERCIAL FISHERY AT THE MIDDLE STRETCH OF THE NEGRO RIVER: EXPLOITATION INTENSITY BY FISHING GROUNDS

Abstract

In the middle Negro River, there have been several conflicts between the different fishing modalities due to the differential use of the fishing resource and the dispute over the same fishing areas. In this way, the spatial dynamics of commercial fishing in the municipality of Barcelos in the middle Negro River were analyzed, aiming to identify the locations used in the fisheries that may have different potentials and demand different actions. Information was collected from commercial fisher regarding the location of fishing sites and the frequency of use during high and low water periods. The geographic coordinates were identified with Q-Gis software and later submitted to a kernel-intensity technique. Eight fishing sites were used in commercial fisheries in Barcelos. In both hydrological periods, fishing occurred with a greater intensity in the Demeni River. Its waters change from light to white throughout the year, and there are several marginal areas that could serve as nurseries for various species of fish. Possibly, in this environment, there is a greater probability of conflicts occurring between the different resource users since this river is also exploited by recreational and subsistence fishers. This result shows that the spatial dynamics of fisheries can be truly important for management proposals.