PESCA DE RAIAS MARINHO-ESTUARINAS NO LITORAL AMAZÔNICO BRASILEIRO E DESCRIÇÃO DA SUA CADEIA PRODUTIVA POR MEIO DO MONITORAMENTO DO DESEMBARQUE E CONHECIMENTO ECOLÓGICO LOCAL

Abstract

The artisanal fishing fleet is directly related to the decline in estuarine ray populations around the world and has been attributed mainly to incidental fishing. The Brazilian Amazon coast is considered an important region for fishing resources, capable of moving a complex local production chain. We monitored the landing of rays in a busy lading point with biweekly sampling for consecutive 13 months. In addition, interviews were conducted with the application of a semi-structured questionnaire to various stakeholders in the production chain of the ray fishing. Resulting data encompassed the composition, abundance, and frequency of occurrence of species landed, methods and gear types used for catch, main catch locations, estimates of biomass and yield, characterization of processing cuts, as well as the description of the structure of the supply chain. The specimens observed in landings were described as resulting from various types of fishing gear and vessels, configuring a complex and stratified supply chain. The species Hypanus guttatus (58,2%), Hypanus geijskesi (21,4%) and Rhinoptera spp (16,9%) were the most important species observed, presenting the highest values of abundance, frequency of occurrence, biomass, yield index and also the most common in trade. The supply chain showed stratification in four links: fishers, intermediaries I, intermediaries II and external traders conducting intermunicipal and interstate trade, as well as distributing to large supermarket chains. We conclude that ray fishing does not occur incidentally in our study area; in fact, rays are considered a secondary fishing resource, with high biomass and stable landings supporting the maintenance of a profitable and reliable supply chain year-round.