Local ecological knowledge of fishers about the life cycle and temporal patterns in the migration of mullet (Mugil liza) in Southern Brazil

Dannieli Firme Herbst,Natalia Hanazaki

doi:10.1590/1982-0224-20130156

Dannieli Firme Herbst, Natalia Hanazaki

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-20130156

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Abstract

This research investigates local ecological knowledge of fishers in communities along a latitudinal gradient in the coast of the Santa Catarina State, regarding the life cycle of mullets Mugil liza (migration, feeding, and reproductive behavior). Our sampling encompassed eight Santa Catarina coastal cities (nine artisanal fishing sites) and engaged 45 key informants (28- 86 years of age) through semi-structured interviews from August/2011 to March/2012. This fish species feeds and grows in lagoon and estuarine systems, migrating to the sea for reproduction, and spawning. Fishers acknowledged the Patos Lagoon and the Plata River as the main source of mullet schools. Migration occurs from South to North and the routes vary according to climatic and oceanographic conditions (e.g., low temperatures, south winds, rainfall, currents, salinity). These conditions influence the abundance of mullets (and therefore fisheries success), their migration and stops in locations such as beaches, rocky shores, and islands. According to fishers, mullet spawning occurs throughout the coast of the Santa Catarina State and they feed in lagoons and riverine systems but also out at sea during migration. In conclusion, fishers possess a detailed knowledge about mullet life cycle and they identify intra and interannual variations in migration routes, a pattern that should be considered in managing the fishery.

Highlights

In the Southern and Southeastern Brazilian coastline this species occurs between May and August, when the fish migrate from the south northwards along the coast of Santa Catarina State, resulting in a high productivity of fisheries in some localities (Miranda & Carneiro, 2007)
In the case of mullet (Mugil liza), many communities consider this fishery as an important economic activity with strong links with their cultural heritage (Daura-Jorge et al, 2007)
Fishing for Mugil liza on the coast of Santa Catarina State occurs every year in autumn/ winter during its reproductive migration

Summary

Introduction

Mugilidae family encompasses euryhaline and eurythermal species widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, in coastal and estuarine areas (Menezes, 1983; Seckendorff & Azevedo, 2007) where they are commonly exploited by coastal and riverside fisheries (Reis & D’Incao, 2000; Nunes et al, 2011a). Mullets are tolerant and well adapted to variations in temperature and salinity (Vieira, 1991; González de Castro et al, 2009), these factors may interfere with the survival and growth of juveniles (Oliveira & Soares, 1996; Okamoto et al, 2006; Vieira et al, 2008) Conditions such as temperature, salinity, sea currents, wind, and precipitation can all affect their availability to fishers (Miranda & Carneiro, 2007; Vieira et al, 2008; González Castro et al, 2009). This research investigates the local ecological knowledge of fishers in communities along a latitudinal gradient in coast of the Santa Catarina State, about the life cycle of Mugil liza, including aspects of migration, feeding and reproductive behavior

Material and Methods

Results

Discussion

Literature Cited