Search

Local knowledge is a fundamental source of information for starting spawning aggregation studies in areas where this phenomenon is still unknown or little studied. Among the species that present this reproductive strategy, groupers and snapper represent two of the most relevant components of artisanal and commercial capture worldwide and are highly susceptible to overfishing. We conducted interview-based surveys to examine if local ecological knowledge can determine potential areas of spawning aggregations in southeast Brazil. Fifty-one local fishermen targeting groupers and snappers were asked about spawning aggregation areas and seasonality using charts and geographic information system (GIS) analysis. Information was obtained for 31 potential spawning aggregation sites, where black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) represented the most important resource for the fishermen interviewed, followed by yellowtail snapper (Ocyurus chrysurus). In addition, red grouper (Epinephelus morio), mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) and dog snapper (Lutjanus jocu) were also mentioned as important resources that have spawning in aggregation as a reproductive strategy. The main possible spawning aggregation areas indicated occur within the Abrolhos Bank, the largest and richest reef complex in the South Atlantic. The lack of published records of spawning aggregations in Brazil, hinders the suitable implementation of measures that can protect this phenomenon and consequently the perpetuation of these and potentially other species. Therefore, additional studies and particularly in situ validation, are needed to determine the occurrence and status of the aforementioned aggregations.