Ecology and ethnoecology of dusky grouper [garoupa, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834)] along the coast of Brazil

Abstract

Dusky grouper (garoupa, Epinephelus marginatus) is an important catch for several artisanal smallscale fisheries along the Brazilian coast. It is a sedentary, monandric, and late maturing protogynous species, which makes it vulnerable to overharvesting even though it is mainly caught through hook and line or spear fishing through free diving. Lack of information on the ecology and biology of this species in Brazil is astonishing. Much of the information found in the literature concerns Mediterranean dusky groupers. Studies compiling local knowledge (ethnoecology) about fish species complement biological data, and have been fundamental for effective fisheries management. In this study, our objectives are to obtain data about dusky grouper through fish catches and analysis of stomach contents and gonad maturation (macroscopic analyses), along with interviews from fishermen from six small-scales communities from the southern (Pântano do Sul, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State) to the northern Brazilian coast (Porto Sauípe, Bahia State). We conclude that precautionary approaches and 'data-less' management approaches are needed in the coast of Brazil. Research on this species and on the potential of aquaculture for its cultivation, are urgent, due to the apparent vulnerability and decrease of dusky grouper along the coast of Brazil.

Blood Pressure and Hypertension among Coastal Fishermen in South-east Brazil

“…This study had a prior basis: we established the procedures and protocols used to collect the data in this study based on earlier studies in Copacabana (Rio de Janeiro city) [2,3] and Paraty [3], both located in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil; these procedures and protocols are described below.…”

“…Based on the earlier research performed in both study sites [2][3][4], we estimated the number of active small-scale fishermen as approximately 20 in each community. In Copacabana, fishermen use a variety of nets and hooks to fish in small motor boats or in paddled canoes.…”

A Etnoecologia Em Perspectiva: Origens, Interfaces E Correntes Atuais De Um Campo Em Ascensão

“…Birds (HUNTINGTON 2004a;GILCHRIST et al, 2005;GAGNON and BERTAUX, 2009) and fish (NEIS et al, 1999;ASWANI et al, 2004;BERGMAN et al, 2004;FRA-SER et al, 2006;BEGOSSI and SILVANO, 2008) have been the main object of these research. Regarding specifically terrestrial mammals, only the caribou (Rangifer tarandus) (FERGUSON et al, 1998), the arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) (GAGNON and BERTAUX, 2009) and the medium-and large-bodied mammals of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Ribeira Valley, São Paulo State) (PRADO et al, 2014) have been considered in such studies.…”

“…In contrast, ecological studies can complement LEK by accessing information about the regional occurrences of species (FERGUSON et al, 1998;HUN-TINGTON, 2004a;MACKINSON, 2001;ASWANI et al, 2004;BERGMAN et al, 2004;FRASER et al, 2006;BEGOSSI and SILVANO, 2008;GAGNON and BERTAUX, 2009). In this case, the complementarity of the two knowledge systems is observed.…”

Diet and feeding strategy of the dusky grouper Mycteroperca marginata (Actinopterygii: Epinephelidae) in a man-made rocky habitat in southern Brazil

“…In Brazil, although have been recorded in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro States (Begossi & Silvano, 2008), previous studies have been focused on populations of Santa Catarina State, where the dusky grouper is commonly found in reefs and coastal rocky bottoms (Bertoncini et al, 2003, Gerhardinger et al, 2006Machado et al, 2008). Previous studies regarding the diet and feeding behavior of this species in natural habitats such as reefs and coastal rocky bottoms have shown that the dusky grouper is a carnivorous fish preying upon mainly on crustaceans, cephalopods and fishes (López & Orvay, 2005;Gibran, 2007;Machado et al, 2008).…”