Reef fishes captured by recreational spearfishing on reefs of Bahia State, northeast Brazil

Abstract

Reef fishes captured by recreational spearfishing on reefs of Bahia State, northeast Brazil. Biota Neotrop. 12(1): http:// www.biotaneotropica.org.br/v12n1/en/abstract?article+bn02012012012Abstract: Although recreational spearfishing is a growing activity, its impacts are poorly understood. This paper aims to present data on reef fishes captured by recreational spearfishing in the Bahia State, Northeastern Brazil. We analyzed 168 photos of spearfishing conducted in the reefs of this region between 2006 and 2008. A total of 1.121 fish belonging to 48 species were captured in three sub-regions of the Bahia coastline: Litoral Norte (LN), Salvador (SSA) and Baixo Sul (BS). The main species caught were: Scomberomorus brasiliensis (n = 191), Sphyraena barracuda (n = 153), Lutjanus jocu (n = 150) and Caranx bartholomaei (n = 141); these four species represented 56.5% of total captures. Over the sampling period, the highest values of catch rates per day were observed at BS, followed by SSA and LN. There were significant between-sites differences in the number of fish in the number of species caught. However, there were no significant between-years differences in the number of fish and numbers of species caught. The trophic classification of fish showed that carnivores (n = 623) were more frequently captured, followed by piscivores (n = 371), herbivores (n = 101) and invertivores (n = 26). The results showed that high sized, top predatory fishes, were the main targets, although other trophic levels were also captured. e Caranx bartholomaei (n = 141); estas quatro espécies representaram 56,5% do total de peixes capturados. Ao longo dos anos amostrados, foram registradas taxas mais elevadas de captura por dia em BS, seguido pelo SSA e LN. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os locais estudados para a quantidade de peixes e o número de espécies capturadas. Entretanto, não foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre os anos para a quantidade de peixes e número de espécies capturadas. A classificação trófica de peixes mostrou que os carnívoros (n = 623) foram mais frequentemente capturados, seguidos de piscívoros (n = 371), herbívoros (n = 101) e invertívoros (n = 26). Os dados apresentados demonstram que grandes peixes predadores de topo são o alvo principal, no entanto outros níveis tróficos também são capturados. Palavras-chave: sobrepesca, recifes de coral, Salvador, Litoral Norte, Baixo Sul. Data AnalysisEach photograph corresponded to one fishery, and was considered as an independent sample. Spatial and temporal variations in total capture and richness (total number of species) were evaluated with nonparametric analysis of variance (Kruskall-Wallis test). Whenever differences were detected in the parameters, the Dunn's test was applied to the data in order to quantify and establish those differences.

Community structure of shallow rocky shore fish in a tropical bay of the southwestern Atlantic

“…Despite these differences, this study presented a higher total density of fish (0.75 ), yet a lower density than was observed by RANGEL et al (2007) to synergic features such as coastal proximity, habitat complexity, anthropogenic activities and fish densities might be strongly related to latitudinal gradients (MORA, 2008;MONTEIRO-NETO, 2009;NUNES et al, 2012). Although subtropical areas may have higher species richness than tropical regions in the South Atlantic, tropical rocky shores can potentially sustain a higher variety of reef fish species than was previously thought, and could exceed the number of species found in the southwestern Atlantic's subtropical waters (LUIZ-JR et al, 2008).…”

“…However, other benthic organisms, such as the black sea urchin (Echinometra lucunter), ascidians and coral colonies of Favia gravida, Agaricia agaricites, Montastraea cavernosa, Mussismilia hispida, Siderastrea spp., and the two species of fire corals Millepora alcicornis and Millepora nitida, are also found within the area. These rocky shores are heavily exploited for tourism activities, artisanal fisheries, ornamental marine organism trade and spearfishing NOTTIGHAM, 2008;NUNES et al, 2012). Despite the water's typically remaining clear throughout the year (occasionally reaching over 40 meters of visibility), during our study horizontal visibility ranged from 5 to 20 m.…”

“…obs.). Clear waters, shallow depths and free access encourage intense fishing practices in the region, potentially making it the area most frequented by spear fishermen on the coast of the state of Bahia (NUNES et al, 2012). Currently, reports of marine ornamental fish in these areas are becoming rare, mainly due to the intense capture of these species since the 1970s (SAMPAIO; NOTTHINHAM, 2008).…”

Reef fishes of the Anchieta Island State Park, Southwestern Atlantic, Brazil

“…medium to large size carnivores) such as groupers (E. marginatus, E. morio, M. acutirostris and M. bonaci), and large herbivorous like S. axillare (Floeter et al 2006, Francini-Filho & Moura 2008, TeixeiraNeves et al 2015. These species are targeted by both professional and recreational fisheries, including spearfishing, which is poorly regulated and monitored in Brazil (Nunes et al 2012;Freire et al 2016). Most of the species of elasmobranchs recorded (64.7%) are either CR, EN, VU or NT, e.g.…”

Are Abrolhos no-take area sites of naïve fish? An evaluation using flight initiation distance of labrids

“…This species consumes large amounts of epilithic algae matrix, fleshy algae and detritus (Bonaldo et al, 2006;Ferreira & Gonçalves, 2006;Francini-Filho et al, 2010). They are commonly captured by spearfishermen in many reefs of Bahia state (Nunes et al, 2012).…”