A redução da captura da fauna acompanhante da pesca de arrasto de camarão como ferramenta para gestão pesqueira na Reserva Extrativista Marinha do Corumbau, Bahia

Abstract

The Corumbau Marine Extractive Reserve (RESEX Corumbau) is a Conservation Unit of sustainable use and takes on a great environmental and socio-economic importance, especially by the presence of traditional communities of artisanal fishermen. The artisanal penaeid trawl fishery is one of the main fishery gear used and is also the main fishery of the RESEX Corumbau in terms of production volume. Despite its importance, some concerns have arisen because of its ecological impact by being a fishing technique that can have a great impact on marine ecosystems, by capturing unwanted species or of low commercial value, known as bycatch. The use of technological devices to reduce bycatch in trawls, known as BRDs (Bycatch Reduction Devices), are among alternatives used to reduce this impact, although still not so much used in Brazil. In order to contribute to the management process of this Protected Area, this work aimed to evaluate the use of BRDs in the shrimp trawling as a tool for a new management approach in RESEX Corumbau. The evaluation was based on two approaches. At first, workshops were held with fishermen to understand their perception of the environment, stock and fishing history, and to discuss the different BRDs, its installation and to choose the best one for the region. In the second approach were performed statements and scientific experiments with the BRDs chosen by the fishermen to evaluate their efficiency on the reduction of the bycatch. The results of this project were positive, and made part of Cumuruxatiba’s fishermen concerned about the current state of fisheries and fish stocks, noticing its steady decline, being of great value taking these discussions forward so that fishery is effectively planned, managed and monitored. For testing, the fishermen chose the square-mesh condend combined with the square-mesh panel as the best alternative to their reality because it takes out juveniles of the target species and other smaller organisms (fish juvenile) usually discarded. Demonstration tests were taken in Cumuruxatiba and scientific tests were taken in Caravelas with the direct participation of fishermen. By calculating the exclusion rate, the trawl with BRD caught similar quantities of shrimp as the control. For the fish and brachyurans, there were significant reductions by the BRD. The fishermen were interested in the BRD´s efficiency, but more experiments are needed, and especially the continuity of dialogue between those involved in the management of this Conservation Unit. The adoption of this BRD is not the solution to legitimize the sustainability of trawling fishery in RESEX Corumbau, also requiring discussions to rethink and make an effective participatory management of this fishery