670
fishing occurs from the estuarine mouth northwards for 9.5 km (Pitimbú beach), and
37.5 km in the south direction, covering five estuarine beaches (Fig. 20.22).
The monitoring of fishing landings began in 2012 at the main landing sites. Daily
production of the artisanal fishing fleet, based at Acaú and Pitimbú was recorded
and analysed. From January 2013, two observers native of traditional communities
carried out the daily monitoring of landings. Although information requires more in
depth analysis, some important conclusions can already be drawn, which justifies
the continuation of this important study for the management of artisanal fisheries in
the extractive reserve.
During 36 months, ~50 tons of fish were captured, which includes 58 target species of the local fleet (Table 20.2). Of these, 12 species accounted for 80% of the
catch (e.g. cobia, common snook, mojarra, mutton snapper, acoupa weakfish)
(Table 20.2). The most important fishes were white mullet (M. curema, ~12 tons)
(Fig. 20.7b) and longnose stingray ray (Dasyatis guttata, ~10 tons) (Fig. 20.15a)
(Table 20.1). Moreover, it was possible to detect seasonal trends in capture
(Fig. 20.22). Among the areas used by the fishing fleet the nearest coastal area to the
Goiana Estuary was the one with the highest catch (~21 tons) (Fig. 20.22 A3).
Seventy percent of the capture took place during the dry season (September to
February) when species are grouped to reproduce near the estuary entrance
(Fig. 20.22A3). During the end of the rainy season (June–August), the increased
precipitation in the region increases the river flow and salinity at coastal regions
decreases. Consequently, fishery production also decreases. At the same time, the
fishing activities in the coastal region further south of the estuary mouth increases
(Fig. 20.22A4).
Seasonality in fish production was also detected for average daily landing, calculated from the catch per unit effort (kg per fisher per day) (Fig. 20.23). Each year
had a fishing seasonal trend, following rainfall. On average, days with higher rainfall rates had the lowest CPUE. Importantly, precipitation patterns were not similar
among years, which significantly influenced landings and fish production
(Fig. 20.23). These results indicate that the region is being influenced by climatic
cycles longer than 12 months. Thus, it is necessary to continue recording daily data
for at least another 36 months in order to infer fisheries productivity and propose
more consistent management options for the extractive reserve.
20.4.3 São Francisco River Estuary
The estuarine region of the São Francisco River is dominated by small-scale fishing,
as observed in the entire northeast coast of Brazil. However, it is a significant activity to local communities (Rangely et al. 2010). There are about 15 boats regularly
landing at Piaçabuçu and 70 at Pontal do Peba beach, in the same city. Fishing
activities are observed across the continental shelf between 10°20′ S and 10°50′ S,
including the north and south portions of the river mouth, especially in shallow
waters between the 15 and 20 m (Coelho and Santos 1995).
M. Barletta et al.
fishing occurs from the estuarine mouth northwards for 9.5 km (Pitimbú beach), and
37.5 km in the south direction, covering five estuarine beaches (Fig. 20.22).
The monitoring of fishing landings began in 2012 at the main landing sites. Daily
production of the artisanal fishing fleet, based at Acaú and Pitimbú was recorded
and analysed. From January 2013, two observers native of traditional communities
carried out the daily monitoring of landings. Although information requires more in
depth analysis, some important conclusions can already be drawn, which justifies
the continuation of this important study for the management of artisanal fisheries in
the extractive reserve.
During 36 months, ~50 tons of fish were captured, which includes 58 target species of the local fleet (Table 20.2). Of these, 12 species accounted for 80% of the
catch (e.g. cobia, common snook, mojarra, mutton snapper, acoupa weakfish)
(Table 20.2). The most important fishes were white mullet (M. curema, ~12 tons)
(Fig. 20.7b) and longnose stingray ray (Dasyatis guttata, ~10 tons) (Fig. 20.15a)
(Table 20.1). Moreover, it was possible to detect seasonal trends in capture
(Fig. 20.22). Among the areas used by the fishing fleet the nearest coastal area to the
Goiana Estuary was the one with the highest catch (~21 tons) (Fig. 20.22 A3).
Seventy percent of the capture took place during the dry season (September to
February) when species are grouped to reproduce near the estuary entrance
(Fig. 20.22A3). During the end of the rainy season (June–August), the increased
precipitation in the region increases the river flow and salinity at coastal regions
decreases. Consequently, fishery production also decreases. At the same time, the
fishing activities in the coastal region further south of the estuary mouth increases
(Fig. 20.22A4).
Seasonality in fish production was also detected for average daily landing, calculated from the catch per unit effort (kg per fisher per day) (Fig. 20.23). Each year
had a fishing seasonal trend, following rainfall. On average, days with higher rainfall rates had the lowest CPUE. Importantly, precipitation patterns were not similar
among years, which significantly influenced landings and fish production
(Fig. 20.23). These results indicate that the region is being influenced by climatic
cycles longer than 12 months. Thus, it is necessary to continue recording daily data
for at least another 36 months in order to infer fisheries productivity and propose
more consistent management options for the extractive reserve.
20.4.3 São Francisco River Estuary
The estuarine region of the São Francisco River is dominated by small-scale fishing,
as observed in the entire northeast coast of Brazil. However, it is a significant activity to local communities (Rangely et al. 2010). There are about 15 boats regularly
landing at Piaçabuçu and 70 at Pontal do Peba beach, in the same city. Fishing
activities are observed across the continental shelf between 10°20′ S and 10°50′ S,
including the north and south portions of the river mouth, especially in shallow
waters between the 15 and 20 m (Coelho and Santos 1995).
M. Barletta et al.