Aspects of the fishery and biology of mullet, Mugil curema (Osteichthyes: Mugilidae), in the Vaza Barris River estuary, Sergipe State, Brazil

Abstract

Of the seven species of the genus  Mugil that occur in Brazilian waters, four are present in greater abundance  in the Northeast region ( M. curema, M. gaimardianus M. curvidens, M. incilis ), where they are captured by the  artisanal fisheries. This study aimed to identify aspects of fisheries and biology of  Mugil curema , target of artisanal  catches, which occur in the Vaza Barris River estuary. The results pointed out to four species of mullet identified in  the study area:  M. curema , which represented 85% of the catch,  M. gaimardianus (fire eye),  M. curvidens (with  perceptible teeth) and  M incilis (known as ‘azeitera’) the last three accounting for 5% of the total landed catch. The study  also showed that 45% of females and 47% of the males are caught below the size at first maturity. The upshot of this  fishery in Sergipe State is that there are not two fleets (artisanal and industrial) in operation, which minimizes conflicts  and promotes the establishment of rules. It is important to start the planning process involving all the local fishermen, so  that a participatory management can succeed.