SEASONAL AND SPATIAL DYNAMIC OF SMALL SCALE FISHERIES IN CENTRAL AMAZONIA

Abstract

Amazonia is considered to host some of the more productive freshwater fisheries of the world, and these are of key importance to the local population. Accordingly, fishing activity needs to be studied to evaluate its dynamics, so that long-term sustainability of the resource can be assured the fishing. The objective of the current study, therefore, was to analyze seasonal and spatial variation in the production of fish landed in the city of Manacapuru, in Central Amazonia. The landing data was collected daily from January to December 2012 at the main port of landing in Manacapuru, Amazonas, Brazil. Results indicate that lakes were most frequently visited by fishermen, but that rivers had higher catch values. In total, 39 species of fish were landed, with jaraqui escama grossa (Semaprochilodus taenirus) and jaraqui escama fina (Semaprochilodus insignis) being the species most exploited by fishermen. Landing had a seasonal character, with higher values in the rising and high water periods. Significant differences were observed between the different seasonal periods, with peak-flood period having the highest catch per unit effort (CPUE) values. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that fishing gear varied according to the fishing environment and exploited species.