Spatio-temporal analysis of the catch composition by the bottom gillnet fishery in Southern/South Brazil

Abstract

The catch composition of the whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) fishery with bottom gillnets was monitored by scientific observers in the Southeastern/Southern Brazil from 2008-2011 in 34 fishing trips. From records of all organisms caught in parcels of nets collected from the sea, 15 fishing trips were selected according to established criteria regarding the quality of information obtained on board. The analysis of catch composition of these trips indicated predominance of the whitemouth croaker in 60% of the numeric abundance. Within the selected fishing trips, 240 species were registered, divided in teleosts (129), elasmobranchs (45), crustaceans (24), echinoderms (13), mollusks (12), cnidarians (9), turtles (3), birds (2), mammal (1), bryozoan (1) and sponge (1). Among these, 88% of numerical abundance was restricted to 10 taxa divided in teleosts, elasmobranchs, and species without commercial exploitation, such as mollusks, crabs and hydromedusae. A detailed quali-quantitative description of the retained and discarded fractions of the catches, which could not be observed in loadings, presented a new perspective for understanding the coastal bottom gillnet fishery in Southeastern/Southern Brazil.