Spatio-temporal distribution and target species in a longline fishery off the southeastern coast of Brazil

Authors

  • Bruno L. Mourato Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Departamento de Oceanografia; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
  • Carlos A. Arfelli Instituto de Pesca; APTA; SAA; SP
  • Alberto F. Amorim Instituto de Pesca; APTA; SAA; SP
  • Humberto G. Hazin Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco; Departamento de Pesca e Aqüicultura; Laboratório de Oceanografia Pesqueira
  • Felipe C. Carvalho University of Florida; Program of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences; School of Forest Resources and Conservation
  • Fábio H. V. Hazin Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco; Departamento de Pesca e Aqüicultura; Laboratório de Oceanografia Pesqueira

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592011000200007

Keywords:

Fishing effort, Target species, Fishing strategy, Brazilian longline fleet

Abstract

In the present study, a cluster analysis, in relation to the species composition of the catches, was used to classify 6,486 fishing sets by a longline fleet based in São Paulo State, Brazil, from 1998 to 2006. Based on the proportions of 12 species and three broader species groups, three clusters were identified: C1: other fishes; C2: blue shark; C3: swordfish. Results indicated that the fleet targeted mainly blue shark and swordfish and also showed that the blue shark importance in this fishery has been growing progressively trough the years. Offshore areas were exploited mainly in the first and fourth quarters (from 2001 mainly), while the fishing effort was more concentrated near the continental shelf break, during the second and third quarters (for the whole period). The longline fishery based in Sao Paulo State changed fishing strategy to target different species which produced important changes in catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) of the main species caught. Cluster analysis seems to have appropriately identified these changes over time, which is an important information, often missing in logbooks.

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Published

2011-06-01

Issue

Section

naodefinida

How to Cite

Spatio-temporal distribution and target species in a longline fishery off the southeastern coast of Brazil. (2011). Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, 59(2), 185-194. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1679-87592011000200007