Impacts of artisanal fishing on elasmobranchs along the Brazilian Amazon Coast

This study aimed to identify the most commonly used artisanal fishing gear for capturing elasmobranchs along the coast of Maranhão State, within the Brazilian Amazon Coast. Interviews were conducted with 314 fishers across 17 coastal municipalities using semi-structured questionnaires. These gathered information on vessel characteristics, fishing gear, and elasmobranch species caught in the region. Six types of fishing gear were identified, with gillnets and longlines being the most frequently used. Of the 70 elasmobranch species identified along the Brazilian Amazon Coast, 35 are commonly captured. Among rays, the species most frequently cited by fishers were Hypanus guttatus, Rhinoptera bonasus, Hypanus geijskesi, Aetobatus narinari, Gymnura micrura, Mobula hypostoma, Mobula birostris, and Pseudobatos percellens. For sharks, the most frequently mentioned species included Carcharhinus acronotus, Sphyrna tudes, Carcharhinus leucas, Ginglymostoma cirratum, Galeocerdo cuvier, Rhizoprionodon porosus, and Carcharhinus porosus. Notably, all identified species are susceptible to capture by both gillnets and longlines. To mitigate the impact of these practices on population stocks, particularly for species threatened with extinction, it is essential to develop targeted conservation measures and management plans that address fishing gear, capture areas, and most vulnerable species.