<b> Evaluation of the capture size and abundance of pink shrimp <i> Farfantepenaeus paulensis </i> (Pérez Farfante 1967) around the Marinheiros Island, Patos Lagoon estuary, RS, Brazil </b>

Abstract

The pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis uses the Patos Lagoon Estuary during its juvenile development, and in this environment become an important artisanal fisheries resource. On this paper we analyzed the sizes of the shrimps captured by the “saquinho” nets as well as the trends in relative abundance according to area and month. Size samples of juveniles and pre-adults were obtained from artisanal fleet on three fishing areas during the 2009 pink shrimp fishing season. The carapace length was used to estimate the percentage of shrimps with smaller size than the allowed by local regulations. The CPUE were estimated by area (I, II and III) based on information from artisanal fisheries landings. Daily salinity variation was followed during the fishing season period. In all the areas, the percentage of shrimps caught with smaller size was higher than the volume allowed. The CPUE´s were significantly different between study areas and the months of fishing, with the largest catches occurring on the first two months of the harvest season.