ABSTRACT1. Incidental catches by the pelagic longline fishery is a major global threat for loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) sea turtles.2. The reduction of incidental capture and post-release mortality of sea turtles in the Brazilian pelagic longline fishery, operating in the south-western Atlantic Ocean, was investigated by comparing the performance of 18/0 circle hooks with 9/0 J-type (control) hooks. Hook selectivity experiments were performed between 2004 and 2008, in a total of 26 trips, 229 sets and 145 828 hooks. The experimental design included alternating control and experimental hooks along sections of the mainline.3. An overall decrease in capture rates for loggerhead turtles of 55% and for leatherbacks of 65% were observed when using circle hooks. In addition, deep-hooking in loggerheads decreased significantly from 25% using J-hooks to 5.8% with circle hooks, potentially increasing post-release survival.4. Circle hooks increased catch rates of most of the main target species, including tunas (bigeye Thunnus obesus and albacore T. alalunga), and sharks (blue Prionace glauca and requiem sharks of the genus Carcharinus), with no difference in the capture rates of yellowfin tuna (T. albacares), shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini and S. zygaena), and dolphinfish or mahi mahi (Coryphaena hippurus). On the other hand, a significant decrease in the capture rate of swordfish (Xiphias gladius) was detected when using circle hooks.5. Overall, results support the effectiveness of using circle hooks for the conservation of loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles, with positive effects on capture of most target species of the south-western Atlantic longline fishery.

RESUMOA pesca de camarão sete-barbas Xiphopenaeus kroyeri é praticada em todo o litoral de São Paulo, necessitando de acompanhamento e gestão de suas capturas para garantir a manutenção dos estoques e a estabilidade da atividade. Este artigo visa contribuir para a gestão do recurso a partir da análise da dinâmica dos desembarques da espécie no litoral paulista entre 2000 e 2011. A atividade é realizada por uma frota denominada industrial, que engloba 15% das unidades produtivas e contribui com 47% da produção desembarcada, e por uma frota artesanal que participa com 85% do total de unidades produtivas e 53% do camarão descarregado. A análise da Captura por Unidade de Esforço (CPUE) mostrou estabilidade nesse indicador de abundância nos últimos anos. A diminuição do número de unidades da frota industrial, possivelmente devido à baixa rentabilidade econômica da pescaria, foi a causa mais provável para a estabilização da CPUE, ou o esforço de pesca ainda não excedeu o limite de sustentabilidade do estoque de sete-barbas no litoral paulista. A estabilidade observada no indicador de abundância nos últimos anos é algo muito promissor, e pode modificar a visão que diferentes instâncias de gestão pesqueira têm do status do recurso, com influência nas medidas de ordenamento. Medidas estas que, devido à contribuição da frota artesanal em número de unidades produtivas e total desembarcado, tem que ser estabelecida com a participação do setor artesanal, o que até o momento não tem ocorrido.Palavras chave: captura por unidade de esforço (CPUE); Xiphopenaeus kroyeri; pesca camaroeira; avaliação de estoques pesqueiros; manejo pesqueiro. CPUE STUDY ON SEABOB SHRIMP FISHERIES OF SÃO PAULO STATE FROM 2000TO 2011 ABSTRACTSeabob shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) fishery is operated all over the coast off São Paulo State. For that reason the management and supervision of those catches is necessary in order to assure the maintenance of the stocks and the stability of that activity. This paper aims to contribute to the management of the resource through the analysis of the landing dynamics of the species caught off the coast of São Paulo State from 2000 to 2011. The activity is operated by a fleet considered industrial, that comprises 15% of the productivity units and contributes with 47% of the landing production, and by an artisanal fleet that corresponds to 85% of all the productivity units and 53% of the landed shrimp. The CPUE (Catch per Unit Effort) analysis shows stability through the abundance indicator in the last years. The decrease on the number of units from the industrial fleet, probably due to the fisheries low profitability, was the most probable cause for the CPUE stability, or the fishing effort has not exceeded the sustainability limit of the seabob shrimp stock off São Paulo State. The observed stability in the abundance indicator is a very promising factor, and it can modify the vision of the status of the resource in different sectors of the fisheries management. It can also influence management measures that must be ...

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Embryonic malformations in an offspring of the shortnose guitarfish Embryonic malformations can be a result of exposure toxic substances (pollution), lack of nutrients, physical restraint, genetic disorders, or infections and diseases. Such malformations can be classified according to severity and offspring survival outside the uterus. Moreover, abnormalities are normally restricted to a small portion of the litter, mostly, to only one embryo. Here, we report a case of congenital malformation dominance in an offspring of the shortnose guitarfish and compare it with other abnormalities commonly reported in batoids in addition to discussing the possible causes involved in the observed deformities.

Anesthesia can be utilized as a non-lethal procedure to allow easy handling of teleosts and elasmobranchs in captivity or in the wild. For this, anesthetic protocols need to be established according to the species. The aim of this study was to determine the ideal concentration of eugenol for anesthesia of Zapteryx brevirostris. Four concentrations were tested: 21.25, 42.50, 85.00 and 170.00 mg L-1 (ratio of 1:5 with absolute ethanol). The perfect concentration of eugenol for this species was 85.0 mg L-1 , which enabled up to 300 seconds of work on the fish, without any response to handling.

The registration of reproductive processes of elasmobranchs is rare and little documented in public aquariums. The present work registers the first case of dystocia in cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus), (Mitchill, 1815). The ray maintained in captivity by 16 years, it presented a gestation of 14 months. There was not occurrence of the natural childbirth, being necessary the human intervention through obstetric maneuvers for the retreat of the fetus. The described procedures can be used as reference in other cases of dystocia with the species.

p71-79 The seabob shrimp (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) fishery is very important at the northern coast of São Paulo State as a source of incomes and jobs. In addition, this activity also provides stable trade for this product. The present study evaluated the Total Operating Cost (TOC) for three groups of vessels engaged in this fishery (G1, G2 and G3) depending on their physical characteristics (vessel length, gross tonnage and engine power), with G1 including the largest vessels with the most powerful engines, and, in contrast, G3 with the smallest gross tonnage vessels and G2, an intermediate group between these two. The results indicate that fuel (diesel) represents the highest source of costs for all groups. Under the schemes of cooperative or market value a small difference was found in the profits among the three groups of boats not showing direct economic benefits that would encourage permanent cooperative engagement. However, the adhesion of fisher to cooperatives occurs due to strong ties between them and can provide security as regarding marketing and preservation of the catches.