Abstract
Paralonchurus brasiliensis is one of the most common fish species found in the bycatch of shrimp trawling in Sergipe. We analyzed its population structure through four sampling programs, two using hired shrimp trawlers (2013-2014 and 2017-2018) and two from the commercial shrimp fleet (2015-2016 and 2018-2019). The codend mesh size varied among programs (18, 20, and 21 mm). All specimens of P. brasiliensis were identified and had their standard and total lengths (SL and TL; cm) and their total weight (TW; g) measured. A total of 1509 specimens were collected measuring 4.7-22.9 cm TL and 0.4-114.8 g. About 67% of all specimens were below the length at first maturity (14.7 cm). The length-length and weight-length relationships estimated were TL=1.141+1.176×SL and TW=0.00270×TL3.391, respectively. The recruitment probably occurs in September-October and May. This species appeared to be more abundant at 15 m, and larger individuals were found at 5 m. Although P. brasiliensis is frequently caught in shrimp fisheries, it is not reported in catch statistics. Here, for the first time, we have documented its presence in Aracaju’s market under the categories ‘miunça’ and ‘pescadinha’ (97% adults), with the largest specimens landed and commercialized as ‘pescadinha’ together with other species. Smaller individuals are probably discarded by commercial fishers. The low selectivity of the fishing gear used leads to the capture of many juveniles, which may impact the population dynamics of this species as well as other species found in the same fishing ground.
Highlights
Shrimps are one of the main commodities currently available in the fishery market
A total of 1509 specimens of P. brasiliensis were caught during the four sampling programs: 755 in the sampling program (1), 413 in (2), 208 in (3), and 133 in (4)
Around 67% of all sampled specimens were below the length at first maturity of 14.7 cm TL, as estimated for P. brasiliensis off the coast of Pernambuco state [11]: 66.5% in the sampling program (1) from a hired boat; 85.5% in the sampling program (2) from complete samples obtained from commercial boats before discarding; 71.5% in the sampling program (3) from a hired boat; and 3% from categories ‘miunça’ and ‘pescadinha’ in the sampling program (4) from landed catch of commercial trawlers (Figure 2a-e)
Summary
Shrimps are one of the main commodities currently available in the fishery market. Their total catch is usually small in relation to other groups, but their total value is high and ranked second in the world trade in 2016 [1]. Despite the high economic importance of shrimp fisheries, there are impacts on benthic habitats caused by capturing several non-target species referred to as bycatch, which includes juveniles of many fish species of commercial interest, that are often discarded into the sea immediately after being caught [7]. These negative impacts are exacerbated when trawling occurs in estuarine and coastal zones, as these areas represent nursery grounds for many species including those of commercial interest [8]. The low selectivity of fishing gears used in shrimp fisheries puts the local biodiversity at risk [9]
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