Composition and diversity of the by-catch from penaeid fisheries off southern Pernambuco State, Brazil

Abstract

This paper presents results on estimates of the by-catch occurring in the shrimp fishery, by means of catch samplings carried out on the fishing grounds off Sirinhaém (March, 2001 to February, 2002), Tamandaré (June, 2001 to May, 2002) and São José of Coroa Grande (May, 2001 to April, 2002), southern Pernambuco State, Brazil. These monthly samples amounted to 6,961 individuals belonging to 46 species, among which Stellifer brasiliensis stands out as the most abundant. Species diversity was considered to be at a high level as measured by the Shannon’s index, H’ = 3.14 bits.ind.-1 as was also the equitability index. Diversity was not affected by the rainfall intensity along the year.