Distribuição de comprimento das raias Dasyatis guttata e Dasyatis americana no litoral do Estado do Ceará, em função do aparelho-de-pesca

Abstract

The stingrays of genus Dasyatis are important fi shing resources in Ceará State, Brazil. The main objective of this paper is to study the fi shery of D. guttata and D. americana, with the aim of using the results as tools for improving its management. Sampling for the stocks was carried out in Fortaleza, Caucaia and Aquiraz counties, in Ceará State, Brazil, as by-catch material by the trawlnet and gillnet fi sheries and landings from the hook-and-line and harpooning fi sheries, during the years of 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. The data analysis produced the following results: Dasyatis guttata was considered a target species of hook-and-line fi shery, being also caught as by-catch in the shrimp and lobster fi sheries with trawlnets and gillnets; Dasyatis americana was a target species of hook-and-line fi shery and harpooning fi sheries, being caught on mud and sand bottoms, respectively;