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Reef fisheries are multispecific and employ a variety of fishing gears across marine environments, even in remote areas. This intricate and multifaceted nature of reef fisheries is often overlooked in management strategies, leading to global management failures. In Brazil, information about reef fisheries is often scarce and scattered. This stems from inadequate policies and an unrecognized societal value of reef fisheries. Here, we combine nationwide reef fish landing data (1950–2015) with an extensive literature review on Brazilian reef fisheries. We explore temporal and spatial patterns in total landings, species traits, functional diversity and composition to understand the current scenario, identify drivers of change and highlight information gaps. Brazilian reef fisheries rapidly increased in landing volume, number of targeted species and exploited traits in the 1980's, despite mainly targeting carnivorous fish (groupers, snappers, jacks and trevallies). Exploited functional space increased over time, mainly due to the incorporation of smaller and lower-trophic level species that gradually were added to the pool of fished species. Local and international markets have been the main drivers behind these patterns, while subsistence fishing is marginal. Lack of proper management and enforcement of existing regulations have led to population declines, dwindling total catches since the early 2000's, and numerous threatened species. Artisanal fishing accounts for the majority of catches, raising concern on the social impacts of degraded reef fisheries. We highlight the urgent need for adequate fishing statistics, and the use/application of science-based management and policy actions to secure productive fisheries and healthy reef ecosystems in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neotropical Ichthyology is the property of Neotropical Ichthyology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The current climate change scenario caused by anthropogenic activities has resulted in novel environmental pressures, increasing the occurrence and severity of fungal infections in the marine environment. Research on fungi in several taxonomic groups is widespread although not the case for elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). In this context, the aim of the present study was to screen the oral fungal microbiota present in artisanally captured Rioraja agassizii, a batoid that, although endangered, is highly fished and consumed worldwide. Oropharyngeal samples were obtained by swabbing and the samples were investigated using morphological and phenotypic methods by streaking on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) and subculturing onto CHROMagar Candida (BD Difco) and CHROMagar Candida Plus (CHROMagarTM), as well as molecular techniques by amplification of the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 ribosomal DNA region and a MALDI-TOF MS assessment. The findings indicated the presence of Candida parapsilosis (seven isolates), Candida duobushaemulonii (one isolate) and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (three isolates), several of these reported for the first time in Rioraja agassizii. In addition, a 100% agreement between the MALDI-TOF results and partial ITS region sequencing was noted, demonstrating that the MALDI-TOF MS is a rapid and effective alternative for yeast identification in Rioraja agassizii isolates and potentially in other elasmobranch species. These findings highlight the need for further research to determine the potential impact on elasmobranch health, ecology, and commercial fisheries. Furthermore, this research is paramount in a One Health framework and may be employed to predict elasmobranch responses to an evolving ocean, keep healthy populations in check, monitor species, and assess the public health consequences of consuming these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neotropical Ichthyology is the property of Neotropical Ichthyology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We analyze fish pricing in the São Paulo wholesale market, the second largest seafood market in South America. Quantitative price analysis is complemented by interviews with participants in the value chain to answer how the multitude of fish products supplied in this market are related and the challenges facing future growth. The results reveal a clear separate pricing of domestically produced fishery species (whitefish and pelagics) from the internationally traded aquaculture species (tilapia and salmon). Tilapia and salmon are uniquely priced, less volatile and more persistent with a price dynamic more akin to local terrestrial meats. Fishery prices show large month-by-month fluctuations and compete more with each other. Participants in the different levels of the value chain corroborate the uniqueness of salmon and state a preference for stable availability and low prices, with less concern about the specific sourcing of fish (aquaculture/fisher, or domestic/imported). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs) are rare, and highly important sites to the life history of a number of declining shark species are endangered by fishing.The high diversity of sharks caught by fisheries is difficult to monitor due to the scarcity of information on species‐specific biological aspects (growth, maturity and fertility rate).There are two EBSAs off north‐eastern Brazil, where key species are caught, more specifically the oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus), mako (Isurus oxyrinchus), blue (Prionace glauca) and silky (Carcharhinus falciformis) sharks. Another 23 species displaying low frequency in catches have also been recorded, many of them considered threatened according to the IUCN Red List and the Brazilian Ministry of Environment.The main purpose of this study was to generate information about shark diversity and demonstrate the role of the two EBSAs in their conservation. After analysing fishing data collected from 2000 to 2011, maps were built to categorize shark species by phases of their ontogenetic development (neonate, young and adult) based on samples of C. falciformis (n = 330), C. longimanus (n = 440), I. oxyrinchus (n = 452) and P. glauca (n = 8,176).Shark stocks comprised mainly juveniles, which raises concerns since they are considered a crucial life stage for the sustainability of shark populations. Catch monitoring also highlighted that several of the species caught are threatened and their catch is either prohibited or limited according to the Brazilian laws and international rules in place.Action plans and enforcement of laws and rules are needed to deliver the protective measures needed for shark species in these EBSAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elasmobranchs are apex predators that play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by regulating the dynamics of food webs, as well as connecting different trophic levels across habitats.The large‐scale removal of elasmobranchs impacts the energy transfer in trophic interactions. The pressure of unsustainable fisheries is considerable, as most elasmobranchs have reproductive strategies that render them unable to recover their demographic status after depletion.In Brazil, elasmobranchs are broadly commercialized under the generalist common name of 'cação' (namely, shark meat). This allows threatened species to be commercialized and makes the tracking of different species difficult.DNA barcoding of the Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene was applied to identify the different species sold as 'cação' along the coastline of Brazil. Fifty‐seven samples from 33 cities in 15 coastal states of Brazil were purchased and analysed.Bioinformatic analyses revealed the presence of 17 species that were sold as 'cação'. Among them, Prionace glauca (blue shark) was the most abundant. Other species, listed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, were also uncovered as being in the shark meat trade, such as Sphyrna lewini (scalloped hammerhead), Isurus paucus (longfin mako shark), and Squatina guggenheim (angular angel shark).These findings have reinforced the necessity to correctly label the commercialized species. Public actions towards species‐specific management plans must be applied, as well as monitoring the supervised allied educational programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neotropical Ichthyology is the property of Neotropical Ichthyology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Billfishes are considered important fishery resources and the identification of aggregation sites is imperative for proper management. Here we present evidence of a seasonal aggregation site for juvenile istiophorid billfishes in southern Brazil. We discuss the results as they relate with the need for management at a local scale and participatory monitoring with artisanal fishing communities as a way to ensure access to data on the occurrence and population status in the long term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used complementary stable isotope (SIA) and stomach content (SCA) analyses to investigate feeding relationships among species of the nektobenthic communities and the potential ecological effects of the bottom trawling of a coastal ecosystem in northeastern Brazil. Carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) compositions were determined for five basal sources and 28 consumers, from zooplankton to shrimp and fish species. Fishes and basal sources showed a broad range of δ15N (fishes: 6.49–14.94‰; sources: 2.58–6.79‰) and δ13C values (fishes: -23.86 to -13.71‰; sources: -24.32 to -13.53‰), while shrimps and crabs exhibited similar nitrogen and carbon ratios. Six trophic consumer groups were determined among zooplankton, crustaceans and fishes by SIA, with trophic pathways associated mostly with benthic sources. SCA results indicated a preference for benthic invertebrates, mainly worms, crabs and shrimps, as prey for the fish fauna, highlighting their importance in the food web. In overall, differences between SCA and the SIA approaches were observed, except for groups composed mainly for shrimps and some species of high δ15N values, mostly piscivorous and zoobenthivores. Given the absence of regulation for bottom trawling activities in the area, the cumulative effects of trawling on population parameters, species composition, potentially decreasing the abundance of benthic preys (e.g., shrimps, worms and crabs) may lead to changes in the trophic structure potentially affect the food web and the sustainability of the fishery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, Brazilian fisheries management has not considered the knowledge of fish taxonomy from within fishing communities. This study points out processes of recognition, classification and nomenclature of sharks achieved by fishermen from South Bahia, Brazil. Data were obtained through semistructured interviews visually stimulated by exhibiting images of 30 species of elasmobranch fishes. Regionally, elasmobranch species are inserted into the folk taxon called "leather fishes" and in a category known as "cação" (shark) family. In addition to hierarchical classification, the fishermen organize shark species by adopting an ethnodimorphic and sequential model based on ethnoontogeny. Ethnodiagnostic characteristics are mainly related to the morphology, ecology and even physiology of a species. A total of 144 epithets is recorded, with a mean value of 4.8 ethnospecies for each scientific correspondent. Richness of vernacular names impedes species-specific information gathering regarding shark landings if fisher knowledge is not considered and applied in the improvement of fisheries data. Thus, this study encourages the employment of fishermen as parataxonomists in order to assist in the identification of sharks to specific levels. This study further emphasizes the potential of using ethnotaxonomic knowledge of fishing communities in initiatives related to participative management of shark fisheries in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of dams in Brazilian semiarid regions has been a common governmental practice since the early 1900s, initially with the aim of providing water to meet the needs of humans and animals, and, later, to improve fisheries. Along with dams, several nonnative fish species were introduced with the intention of supplying new fisheries. We used a dataset compiled since the 1950s for the following: (i) evaluate fisheries for native and nonnative species across space–time scales and (ii) quantify the spatial and temporal changes in taxonomic and functional similarity of freshwater fish assemblages in semiarid reservoirs. Overall, fisheries for native species decreased over time, while fisheries for nonnative species increased during the early periods, which then, for the most part, decreased after 2000. At the Inter-region scale, we recorded a transition from homogenization to differentiation over time, both in taxonomic and functional terms. At the Intra-region scale, we also found a transition phase from taxonomic homogenization to differentiation over time, while functional differentiation was recorded for most of the regions. This study highlights the variation in fisheries for native and nonnative species over a period of ~ 70 years, and the homogenization dynamics of Brazil's semiarid freshwater fish resulting from the construction of dams, stocking programs, and aquaculture using nonnative species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing fishing effort has caused declines in shark populations worldwide. Understanding biological and ecological characteristics of sharks is essential to effectively implement management measures, but to fully understand drivers of fishing pressure social factors must be considered through multidisciplinary and integrated approaches. The present study aimed to use fisher and trader knowledge to describe the shark catch and product supply chain in Northeastern Brazil, and evaluate perceptions regarding the regional conservation status of shark species. Non-systematic observations and structured individual interviews were conducted with experienced fishers and traders. The demand and economic value of shark fins has reportedly decreased over the last 10 years while the shark meat trade has increased slightly, including a small increase in the average price per kilogram of meat. Several threatened shark species were reportedly often captured off shore and traded at local markets. This reported and observed harvest breaches current Brazilian environmental laws. Fishing communities are aware of population declines of several shark species, but rarely take action to avoid capture of sharks. The continuing capture of sharks is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of environmental laws, lack of enforcement by responsible authorities, and difficulties encountered by fishers in finding alternative income streams. National and regional conservation measures are immediately required to reduce overfishing on shark populations in Northeastern Brazil. Social and economic improvements for poor fishing communities must also be implemented to achieve sustainable fisheries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neotropical Ichthyology is the property of Neotropical Ichthyology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The present study provides a check list of elasmobranchs from the Paraná State coast, southern Brazil. Information from fish collections, literature data, field surveys and personal communications were included. Results indicated that 83 species from seven orders and 28 families were recorded. According to the results 51 species belonging to six orders and 17 families of sharks; and 32 species belonging to one order and eleven families of rays occur in this region. The most species-rich families were Carcharhinidae (14 species) and Arhynchobatidae (eight species). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study provides a check list of elasmobranchs from the Paraná State coast, southern Brazil. Information from fish collections, literature data, field surveys and personal communications were included. Results indicated that 83 species from seven orders and 28 families were recorded. According to the results 51 species belonging to six orders and 17 families of sharks; and 32 species belonging to one order and eleven families of rays occur in this region. The most species-rich families were Carcharhinidae (14 species) and Arhynchobatidae (eight species). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]