639
2015). Since the estuary is relatively shallow, there is no vertical stratification of
salinity, water temperature and dissolved oxygen most of the year (Dantas et al.
2010; Lima et al. 2015). Fish are distributed along spatial gradients determined by
temporal factors. Especially the seasonal fluctuation of salinity form an ecocline
(Dantas et al. 2010; Lima et al. 2015; Ferreira et al. 2016; Ramos et al. 2016).
During the late rainy season, when continental runoff increases seaward, marine fish
migrate to the lower portions of the system to inhabit waters of higher salinity
(Dantas et al. 2010; Ferreira et al. 2016; Ramos et al. 2016). This season is also
acknowledged as the time when most fishes and invertebrates that grow within the
estuarine habitats are exported out to the sea (Dantas et al. 2010; Lima et al. 2014;
Ferreira et al. 2016).
This area is responsible for supporting a rich fauna of fishes, crustaceans and
mollusks, which harvest ensures the livelihood of the traditional populations surrounding the city centre and smaller villages as Goiana, Tejucopapo, São Lourenço
and Carne de Vaca (in Pernambuco State), and Caaporã and Pitimbú (in Paraíba
State) (Fidem 1987). For this reason, the MPA-extractive reserve Acaú-Goiana
(~6700 ha) was created in 2007 to guarantee the sustainable use of fisheries
resources, such as finfishes and the Bivalvia Anomalocardia brasiliana, as well as
to preserve the system for livelihood (Barletta and Costa 2009; Guebert et al. 2013)
(Fig. 20.3). Consolidated management plans for extractive reserve Acaú-Goiana
still do not exist and only recently fishers are in the process of recognized/realized
what an extractive reserve really is (Guebert et al. 2013).
20.2.3 São Francisco River Estuary
The São Francisco River basin has 63,478,100 ha of drainage area. The São
Francisco River itself extends 2700 km from source to the estuary (CBHSF 2004),
and has significant environmental, economic, social and cultural importance for
Brazil. Its status is based on the large volume of water that it carries (average:
2846 m
3
s
−1
), coastal fertilization potential, hydroelectric power generation, waterway, fishing and other human uses as water supply. Due to its length and different
environments, the ecocline along the hydrographic basin can be divided into four
major physiographic units: upper, middle, sub-middle and lower São Francisco
River (ANA 2002). The last, and shortest, stretch of 274 km between Paulo Afonso
(Bahia State) and the river mouth includes the São Francisco Estuary (Alagoas and
Sergipe States) (Fig. 20.4) (Godinho and Godinho 2003).
The estuary is located on the east coast of South America (Northeast Brazil). The
average annual air temperature for the São Francisco Estuary is 25 °C, evaporation
is 2300 mm per year and the average annual rainfall varies from 800 to 1300 mm
(Burger 2008). The climate of the region surrounding the river mouth is tropical
semi-humid (Burger 2008), with constant strong winds, leading to low precipitation
rates. The seasons of the region have two distinct periods, a dry season (September
to February) and a rainy season (March to August) (Fig. 20.2c). However, the con20 How Can Accurate Landing Stats Help in Designing Better Fisheries…
2015). Since the estuary is relatively shallow, there is no vertical stratification of
salinity, water temperature and dissolved oxygen most of the year (Dantas et al.
2010; Lima et al. 2015). Fish are distributed along spatial gradients determined by
temporal factors. Especially the seasonal fluctuation of salinity form an ecocline
(Dantas et al. 2010; Lima et al. 2015; Ferreira et al. 2016; Ramos et al. 2016).
During the late rainy season, when continental runoff increases seaward, marine fish
migrate to the lower portions of the system to inhabit waters of higher salinity
(Dantas et al. 2010; Ferreira et al. 2016; Ramos et al. 2016). This season is also
acknowledged as the time when most fishes and invertebrates that grow within the
estuarine habitats are exported out to the sea (Dantas et al. 2010; Lima et al. 2014;
Ferreira et al. 2016).
This area is responsible for supporting a rich fauna of fishes, crustaceans and
mollusks, which harvest ensures the livelihood of the traditional populations surrounding the city centre and smaller villages as Goiana, Tejucopapo, São Lourenço
and Carne de Vaca (in Pernambuco State), and Caaporã and Pitimbú (in Paraíba
State) (Fidem 1987). For this reason, the MPA-extractive reserve Acaú-Goiana
(~6700 ha) was created in 2007 to guarantee the sustainable use of fisheries
resources, such as finfishes and the Bivalvia Anomalocardia brasiliana, as well as
to preserve the system for livelihood (Barletta and Costa 2009; Guebert et al. 2013)
(Fig. 20.3). Consolidated management plans for extractive reserve Acaú-Goiana
still do not exist and only recently fishers are in the process of recognized/realized
what an extractive reserve really is (Guebert et al. 2013).
20.2.3 São Francisco River Estuary
The São Francisco River basin has 63,478,100 ha of drainage area. The São
Francisco River itself extends 2700 km from source to the estuary (CBHSF 2004),
and has significant environmental, economic, social and cultural importance for
Brazil. Its status is based on the large volume of water that it carries (average:
2846 m
3
s
−1
), coastal fertilization potential, hydroelectric power generation, waterway, fishing and other human uses as water supply. Due to its length and different
environments, the ecocline along the hydrographic basin can be divided into four
major physiographic units: upper, middle, sub-middle and lower São Francisco
River (ANA 2002). The last, and shortest, stretch of 274 km between Paulo Afonso
(Bahia State) and the river mouth includes the São Francisco Estuary (Alagoas and
Sergipe States) (Fig. 20.4) (Godinho and Godinho 2003).
The estuary is located on the east coast of South America (Northeast Brazil). The
average annual air temperature for the São Francisco Estuary is 25 °C, evaporation
is 2300 mm per year and the average annual rainfall varies from 800 to 1300 mm
(Burger 2008). The climate of the region surrounding the river mouth is tropical
semi-humid (Burger 2008), with constant strong winds, leading to low precipitation
rates. The seasons of the region have two distinct periods, a dry season (September
to February) and a rainy season (March to August) (Fig. 20.2c). However, the con20 How Can Accurate Landing Stats Help in Designing Better Fisheries…