Characterization of the driftnet fishery carried out off Fortaleza county, Ceará State

Abstract

The driftnet is used at sea surface, moving through the maritime coastal currents. This study aims to assess technologic, environmental and economic aspects about this fishing gear, used by fisherman from the Mucuripe harbor area, Fortaleza, Ceará State. Between December, 2006 and February, 2008 were conducted 17 open interviews, 28 monitoring of landings and one fishing trip. The net’s size ranges from 600 to 4,050 m, with an average of 3,200 m, and its height ranges between 3 and 5 m. Among the caught species the highest participation in number (68%) and weight (58%) was of Brazilian mackerel, Scomberomorus brasiliensis, followed by king mackerel, S. cavalla, with 20% and 25%, respectively. The overall index of abundance (CPUE) was 1.57 kg per 100 m of net’s length. The Spanish mackerel is caught mainly in the adult phase of its life cycle, with 5% individuals with sizes below that of the first sexual maturity (L50), while for king mackerel the reverse is true since only 16% of the individuals had sizes above L50. Gross profit accounted for 34.2% of the total revenue generated by that fishing gear. It is suggested as a fishing management tool the use of driftnets with mesh width larger than 11 cm between opposite knots.