Length-weight relationship of fishes from an estuary of Abrolhos Bank, Brazil

Abstract

Abstract: Aim We investigate the length-weight relationship estimates of seventeen species caught using an artisanal purse seine in the Abrolhos Bank, a tropical estuarine complex in eastern Brazil. Methods From February 2012 to November 2013, fish were collected monthly using an artisanal small purse seine with a total of 84 fish landings. The fish were captured in mangrove margins during high tide and retrieved after six hours at depths ranging from 1.2 to 3 meters. Results A total of 4433 fish specimens from 17 species and nine families were sampled. The coefficient of determination ranged from 0.904 for Centropomus parallelus to 0.987 for Lutjanus cyanopterus. Species presented allometric growing, with Caranx latus, Lutjanus cyanopterus and M. curema exhibing negative allometric while all the other species presented positive allometric growing. We present first data in Brazil to L. cyanopterus and first data in the literature to Lutjanus alexandrei. Conclusions Our results provide novel data of biological attributes for 17 species. By understanding the length-weight relationships and growth patterns of these species, data at stock level may subside proper management initiatives such as fishing restrictions in fishing sites or seasons and mesh size limits.

Keywords

• artisanal fishing
• Abrolhos Bank
• fish ecology
• fisheries management
• fisheries biology