Evaluation of catch-and-release angling practices for the common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in the Estuarine-Lagoon complex of Cananéia-Iguape, State of São Paulo

• Grant number: 16/16826-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2016
• End date: November 30, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Physiology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Domingos Garrone Neto
• Grantee: Cleber Mikio Rosa Imanobu
• Host Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Registro. Registro , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Although the science of catch-and-release is well established, almost all literature comes from countries in North America, Europe and Australia, making it difficult to generalize the effects of this practice on all species of fish, especially from Brazil. In this context, the general objective of this proposal will be to carry out an integrated study to assess the impacts of catch-and-release in the common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) in yhe Estuarine-Lagoon Complex of Cananéia and Iguape, Southeast Brazil, aiming to the evaluation of: I) lesions caused in fish by capturing, II) physiological changes related to the capture stress such as glucose and lactate levels, III) disturbances in reflections after the release of the fish and IV) short-term mortality resulting from catch-and-release. It will be used a variety of ecologically relevant metrics to quantify the real impact of recreational fishing on one of the main targets of this activity along the Brazilian coast, seeking to understand how time of fight, exposure to air, the maintenance of fish in live-well and the release of the common snook to nature can affect the survival of the species. The results will produce pioneering knowledge on the subject, especially because surprisingly there are few studies in Brazil focusing on catch-and-release effects. We intend to contribute to further discussion on the subject involving fish-release and contribute to the development of guides for best practices and recommendations for the planning of the recreational fishing, with a view to conservation of the species and the development of sustainable fishing tourism, supported by scientific knowledge. (AU)