AVALIAÇÃO DA PESCA COMERCIAL DESEMBARCADA EM DUAS CIDADES LOCALIZADAS NO RIO SOLIMÕES – AMAZONAS

Abstract

The commercial fishing is an activity of great importance at the Amazon basin. It is subject to seasonal climatic, cultural and economic influences, which could be different by region into this huge basin. The commercial fisheries of Benjamin Constant and Iranduba were studied, aiming to evaluate the regional differences of the fisheries in the Amazon basin. The data were collected in 2012 at the main landing sites of both municipalities. The common name of the fish landed, catch per species (kg), fishing effort, fishing grounds, fishing gear and vessels used were registered. The largest variety of fish caught was recorded in Benjamin Constant, but Iranduba obtained the highest total landing. The pacus ( Mylossoma spp.; Metynnis spp.; Myleus spp.) and acari-bodo ( Pterygoplichthys pardalis ) were the most landed at Benjamin Constant. The aracu ( Schizodon fasciatus ) and curimata ( Prochilodus nigricans ) were the most important species in the landings of Iranduba. In general, the production was higher during the falling water season. The rivers and lakes were the most exploited environments and the gillnet was most used equipment. The Catch per Unit Effort (CPUE) varied from 10.2 to 288.6 kg/fisher.day, with high averages in the falling-water period of the rivers. The motorized canoe was the most used vessel in the fisheries. The variations observed in the fisheries indicate the diversity of fishing in the Amazon. This diversity needs to be taken into account when developing fisheries management strategies, to avoid the development of generalist policies that are ineffective to reach the sustainability of fish stocks. Keywords: inland fisheries; geographical distribution of fisheries; Amazonia.