Artisanal fisheries and artificial reefs on the southeast coast of Brazil: Contributions to research and management

Abstract

This work aims to analyse the contribution of artificial reefs (ARs) to marine biota based on fishers’ local ecological knowledge (LEK) of the species associated with ARs. Data were collected from November 2016 to May 2017 through 60 ethnographic interviews with artisanal fishers at the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro. Local fishers use seven methods to catch fish, with trawl nets being the most frequent (32.5%, n = 41). Some fishers use more than one gear of fish equipment, allowing the capture of several species throughout the year and to alternate the target species. The fishers reported 25 species associated with the ARs, although 15 species appeared after the installation of the artificial complex. The most frequent were the sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus 43.3%, n = 26), black margate (Anisotremus surinamensis 41.7%, n = 25), spiny lobster (Panulirus sp. 33.3%, n = 20), caribbean spiny lobster (Panulirus argus 31.7%, n = 19), and smooth puffer (Lagocephalus laevigatus, 31.7%, n = 19). The fishers described several ecological functions of the ARs, acting as a species reproduction site (25.93%, n = 21), increasing fish weight (18.5%, n = 15), attracting fish (16.0%, n = 13) and reducing industrial fishery (8.6%, n = 7). The interviewees had consistent LEK about local marine biota, especially species associated with the ARs. They maintained a positive perception of the ARs and pointed to the need for public policies when installing new artificial structures that can increase fish stocks in the region.