Deep-sea shrimps (Decapoda: Aristeidae): new targets of the deep-water trawling fishery in Brazil

Abstract

Following the recent expansion of the Brazilian fishery to slope fishing grounds, a new directed trawl fishery for aristeid shrimps emerged since mid 2002. Aristaeopsis edwardsiana has been the main component of the catches attaining 88.4% of total shrimp production. Aristaeomorpha foliacea and Aristeus antillensis have composed significantly smaller fractions of the landings (9.8 % and 1.8 % respectively). Two main grounds were located in the southeastern region (ca. 19º - 25ºS) and one in the northern border of the Brazilian EEZ (ca. 4º30' - 5ºN). Catches have been extremely concentrated between the 700 and 750 m isobaths. Mean catch rates of A. edwardsiana oscillated between 6.5 and 9.7 kg.h-1. The other species have been caught at considerably lower rates (0.1 - 0.6 kg.h-1 and 0.1 - 1.3 kg.h-1, respectively). A seasonal pattern in A. edwardsiana catches is suggested, with maximum values obtained between July and December. While largely directed to the shrimps, incidental catches of the royal crab (Chaceon ramosae) attained, on average, 22 % of the total landings.