In search of traditional bio-ecological knowledge useful for fisheries co-management: the case of jaraquis Semaprochilodus spp. (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) in Central Amazon, Brazil

Abstract

The jaraquis (Semaprochilodus spp.) are the most abundant group in the fishing landing in Manaus. However, just command and control management strategies have been used by the fishery governmental agency in the region without the power to enforce centralized decisions. The fishermen and their culture represent a source of information on dynamics of the resources and aquatic environments, fundamental in making possible the co-management of the fishing resources. The present study aims to contribute to management through identification of common information available in scientific and traditional knowledge about the jaraquis' bio-ecology. There were 57 semi-structured interviews recorded with fishermen of Manaus and rural areas of Manacapuru in 2002 concerning biological and ecological aspects. Similarity was observed between scientific and traditional knowledge in the following items: size of first sexual maturation, spawning type, parental care, trophic relationships and migratory behavior, as well as in some aspects of the mortality and growth of the species. However, there was less ethnoicthyological information on fecundity and the determination of the age and growth of adult fish. Common information would be used preferably by agencies to start an effective and technical dialogue with commercial and riverine fishermen to design management plans in a decentralized strategy.

Distribution of economically important fish larvae (Characiformes, Prochilodontidae) in the Central Amazonia, Brazil

“…They initiate their gonadal maturation process when water levels in the rivers start to rise, and wait for the first rains to disperse along the várzea tributaries and lakes to spawn in the nutrient-rich, white water rivers of the Solimões/Amazonas basin (Barthem & Fabré, 2004;Batista & Lima, 2010;Ribeiro & Petrere, 1990;Vieira, Fabré, Sousa & Araújo, 2002). Other authors such as Junk et al (1989), Humphries, King and Koehn (1999) and Leite and Araújo-Lima (2002) emphasise that rising water levels allow for the expansion of the aquatic environment and permit access to specific foraging, reproductive and growth sites, thus favouring larval development.…”

“…taeniurus) are species that only migrate for short distances for reproduction. They initiate their gonadal maturation process when water levels in the rivers start to rise, and wait for the first rains to disperse along the várzea tributaries and lakes to spawn in the nutrient‐rich, white water rivers of the Solimões/Amazonas basin (Barthem & Fabré, ; Batista & Lima, ; Ribeiro & Petrere, ; Vieira, Fabré, Sousa & Araújo, ). Other authors such as Junk et al.…”

Distribuição Espaço-Temporal De Larvas De Sciaenidae (Pisces, Acanthuriformes), No Trecho Inferior Do Rio Amazonas, Amazônia Oriental, Pará

“…Diversos estudos registram a reprodução dos peixes amazônicos estreitamente relacionada com a flutuação do nível d'água, regulando o ciclo biológico dos peixes, o que funciona como gatilho e contribui com o estímulo para o desencadeamento das desovas (Santos 1982), que podem ser antecipadas ou prolongadas, de acordo com as variações ambientais (Vieira et al 2002, Batista & Lima 2010. Essas condições normalmente estão associadas aos primeiros meses de inundação e ao início da época de chuvas, as quais são responsáveis pelo carreamento de nutrientes e incremento de alimentos para os peixes (Lowe-Mcconnell 1999), momento em que se encontra a maior concentração de larvas derivando em áreas marginais nos rios de águas brancas (Leite & Araújo-Lima 2002, Leite et al 2006, realidade também observada no presente estudo para as espécies de P. auratus e P. fourcroi.…”

Confirmation of sexual dimorphism in Hoplias aimara (Valenciennes, 1847) (Erythrinidae: Characiformes) proposed by local expertise in Amapá, Brazil

“…Batista and Lima (2010) compared data generated by traditional knowledge about reproductive characteristics of Semaprochilodus spp and data generated by scientific experiments and found no significant differences between the two sources regarding several aspects. Comparison between local and scientific knowledge is a promising way to gather new ecological data, considering that these two sources of knowledge may complement each other and generate more reliable information.…”