BackgroundClimate change is altering climate patterns, mainly increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme events with potentially serious impacts on natural resources and the people that use them. Adapting to such impacts will require the integration of scientific and local (folk) knowledge, especially the first-hand experiences and perceptions of resource users such as fishers. In this study, we identify how commercial riverine fishers in the Amazon remember extreme climatic events (flood and drought) and how they face the consequences of extreme events on fish availability.MethodsData were collected from the main Manaus fishery harbor between June and October of 2013. Semi-structured questionnaires and a historical timeline technique were used to gather data from artisanal commercial fishers. Fishers’ knowledge of extreme climate events was assessed by their “cultural consensus” for identification of event years and perceived impacts. Fishers’ responses were also compared to hydrological data to test their similarity.ResultsThere was a high level of cultural consensus among fishers about extreme events years. They were able to identify four consecutive unusual droughts, between 2009 and 2012. Elevated levels of fish mortality and decreases in the fishery were perceived as consequences of the drought events, as well as, a reduction in fish size, and disappearance of some species. Extreme flood events were associated with greater difficulties accessing fishing grounds.ConclusionsExtreme climatic events (floods and droughts) were remembered, and the recent increase in their intensity and frequency was also perceived. Moreover, extreme climate event (mainly droughts) impacts on fishery resources were also observed. Such information is potentially valuable for educational programs to further improve adaptation of local Amazonian fishing communities to future climate change, e.g. increasing local ecological knowledge using learning material based on their perception.

Guerreiro A.I., Veiga P., Erzini K. 2011. Catches of the sport fishing competitions along the Algarve Coast (Portugal): species, sizes, catch rates, and trends. Acta Ichthyol. Piscat. 41 (3): 165-169.Background. Stocks of many marine fishes are in decline and a number of studies suggest that for some species the impact of recreational angling may be important. To date, only recreational (leisure) fishing surveys have been conducted in Portugal, with no studies on beach angling competitions, dynamically increasing in number over the past 10 to 20 years. In view of the above, we decided to evaluate the impact of such events on the Algarve coast (southern Portugal) in terms of the abundance, diversity, and respective weight of fish species caught and outline some conservation measures and recommendations for the management of the targeted species. Materials and methods. Participants of 22 angling competitions taking place between February and June 2007 were surveyed. In each competition a random sample of anglers was interviewed, and the specimens caught by each participant were identified, weighed, and measured.Results. Thirteen taxa belonging to eight families were identified, and the most common were: garfish, Belone belone (Linnaeus, 1761); mullets, Mugilidae (not identified); and mackerels, Scomber spp. A total of 563 specimens were sampled, totalling 75.4 kg of weight, with the average catch per angler weighing 0.5 ± 0.05 SE (n = 153) kg. Differences were also observed between the length at first maturity (L 50 ) of the specimens caught and their respective Minimum Landing Size (MLS) and Allowed Minimum Size (AMS), most particularly in the case of the European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax (L.), with almost all individuals caught measuring below the speciesspecific L 50 . Analysis of time series of competition results (1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009) showed no evidence of a decrease in catches or in mean weight. Conclusion.Based on the results we propose that the AMS for beach angling competitions should be increased to the MLS in order to prevent the capture of juvenile fishes, especially the sea bass. Future studies should address the size selectivity of the hooks used in beach competitions, with a view to the implementation of a minimum hook size for competitions.

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For some tropical fishes, the information on growth parameters is still scarce, and few or no records are available in FishBase. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the growth curves for Brycon amazonicus (Spix et Agassiz, 1829), Piaractus brachypomus (Cuvier, 1818), Prochilodus nigricans Spix et Agassiz, 1829, Semaprochilodus insignis (Jardine, 1841), and Semaprochilodus taeniurus (Valenciennes, 1821), and to build the auximetric plots for each of the families to which these species belong: Characidae, Prochilodontidae, and Serrasalmidae. Samples were obtained from commercial catches landed in the Port of Manaus. Growth parameters were estimated using the Electronic Length Frequency Analysis (ELEFAN) routine of the Length Frequency Distribution Analysis (LFDA) program. Twenty-six sets of growth parameters were thus estimated, and 66 further sets were located in the literature and FishBase. Prochilodontidae and Serrasalmidae showed a strong inverse relation between the variables composing the auximetric plots.

This study assessed the diet of two poorly known syntopic fish species of the family Crenuchidae, Characidium aff. declivirostre and Leptocharacidium omospilus, in a Presidente Figueiredo´ rocky stream, Amazonas, Brazil. The stomach contents were analyzed and their Frequency of Occurrence (FO %) and Relative Volume (Vol %) were combined in a Feeding Index (IAi). We examined 20 individuals of C. aff. declivirostre and 23 of L. omospilus. The Morisita-Horn Index was used to estimate the overlap between the diets of these species. Immature insects were the most valuable items consumed by both fish species. The diet of C. aff. declivirostre was mainly composed of larvae and pupae of Chironomidae, while L. omospilus predominantly consumed larvae of Hydroptilidae, Hydropyschidae and Pyralidae. Thus, both species were classified as autochthonous insectivorous. Characidium aff. declivirostre was considered a more specialized species, probably reflecting lower feeding plasticity or the use of more restricted microhabitats compared to L. omospilus. When the food items were analyzed at the family taxonomic level, the diet overlap between these species was considered moderate (Morisita-Horn Index = 0.4). However, a more thorough analysis, at the genus level, indicates a very low diet overlap. Therefore, we conclude that the feeding segregation between C. aff. declivirostre and L. omospilus may favor their co-existence, despite their high phylogenetic closeness. Keywords

Human‐wildlife conflict has hindered the success of many management measures for the conservation of endangered species. Therefore, this study aims to establish which non-human species are in conflict with human beings and to understand how residents perceive human‐wildlife conflict, and how they proceed when in conflict with non-human animals, in the municipality of Santa Comba Dão. The author conducted unstructured interviews with the residents of this county on the subjects of locally existing and extinct species, and problems with amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles. In this study, the author found non-human species to be in conflict with human beings, with residents blaming them for economic losses. Foxes, for example, were accused of preying on farm animals. However, the residents also identified the construction of roads and the introduction of exotic species as economic activities that adversely affected native species. Interviewees also reported conflicts of interest between local hunters and farmers as the hunters' associations had introduced wild boar to the area, a species that consumes farmers' white potatoes and corn. Residents' perceptions were in part influenced by the local citizens' beliefs and values ‐ information not previously evaluated in this area. This type of information may be extremely useful during the planning of policy measures, given its importance to establishing effective public policies that protect biodiversity and improve sustainable development.

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