Author(s): LEGAT, J. F. A.; MOTA, R. I.; LEGAT, A. P.; BITTENCOURT, C.; SANTANA, W. S.

Summary: The uçá-crab, Ucides cordatus cordatus, is distinguished as one of the most explored fisherie resources in Brazil. The Parnaíba River Delta Region, located between the states of Piauí and Maranhão, has the greatest concentration of crab catcher in the entire country. Evidence of over-exploitation highlights need of better control over crab fishing activities in this region. The present work has as objective to determine the uçá-crab capture per effort unit (CPUE) in the Parnaíba River Delta, in order to supply subsidies for the fisherie management of this resorce. Fishery data collection was carried out during 1999 throughout 2002, between the latitudes 2º40' and 2º45' and the longitudes 41º51' and 42º05'. The CPUE was determined as the number of crabs captured by catcher per day. The total monthly capture was esteemed considering the average between all years and the number of 4.500 operating catchers in the region. The average CPUE values varied between 14.6 and 22.6 crabs per catcher per day. The total monthly capture varied between 1.314.000 and 2.034.000 crabs, in the months of minimum and maximum CPUE, respectively. In the period of one year, about 21 millium crabs are captured. The obtained results, added to the over-fishing indications, bring to the conclusion that the collapse of crab fishing is a question of time in the region of the Parnaíba River Delta if the appropriate measures for adequate managing of the resource.

Publication year: 2006

Types of publication: Paper in annals and proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Mid-North

Keywords: Aqüicultura, Caranguejo, Delta