Colonização da ictiofauna nos arredores de gaiolas de cultivo de beijupirá (Rachycentron canadum) no litoral pernambucano

Abstract

This study evaluated the wild fish aggregation associated to floating fish cages used for the culture of Cobia (Rachycentrum canadum) in Pernambuco, northeast Brazil. Aggregation took place gradually from first fish farm structure installation. Forty seven species recorded, belonging to 28 families. Haemulon aurolineatum was the first specie to colonize the structure and the one with the highest frequency of occurrence. Seven species who formed large schools represented the highest number of fishes associated to the structure: Haemulon aurolineatum, Haemulon squamipinn, Harengula clupeola, Sarda sarda, Sardinella brasiliensis, Selar crumenophthalmus, and Sphyraena picudilla. Seven species were observed feeding on uneaten pellets from cultured fish: Balistes capriscus, Calamus pennatul, Carangoides crysos, H.aurolineatum, Haemulon parra, H.squamipinna, and Lutjanus synagris. The diversity and number of individuals was higher in areas adjacent to the cages, while the lowest values were found around the anchoring structures, distant 100 m from the cages. The study concludes that the presence of marine fish farms contributes positively to the colonization of wild fish, suggesting that these places may serve as a small marine protected areas favoring fisheries in adjacent grounds.