Abstract ID: 280

Characterization of Commercial Fishing Fleet and Fisheries Production related with the Hydrological Cycle in the Manacapuru Big Lake System - Amazon - Brazil.

The present work characterized the fishing fleet in the Lago Grande de Manacapuru lake system in terms of the composition of fish landings, the characteristics of the fishing fleet and the kinds of fishing gear used by the fisherman and related these characteristics to seasonal variation in water level. Interviews of a sample of fishermen were conducted daily between February 2007 and January 2008 at the landing site for the study area and were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results show that landings at the Panairzinha harbour were dominated by two types of boats: motorized canoes and fishing boats. There was a higher frequency of canoe landings than of fishing boats over the entire study period. The average volume of fish landed monthly was 22.85 ± 11.47 ton, which corresponds to a total annual volume of 274.15 tons. Fish landings were lower in the rising/flood stages and higher during the receding/low water stages. A total of twenty-five species and species groups were identified in the landings. Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), tucunaré (Cichla monoculus) and curimatã (Prochilodus nigricans) were the main species landed. Gill nets were the most common gear type (97%) in the fishery. Fisherman utilized different kinds of gear and boats, concentrating efforts to catch just those few fish species with most commercial interest. Based on these results, we conclude that promotion of more sustainable fishing activity should be based on the environmental and socioeconomic characteristics of the user groups involved. Key-words: Fish landings; Fishing fleet; Manacapuru.

Session:  Public Policies and Sustainable Development - Sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity in central Amazonian floodplains.

Presentation Type:  Oral