Abstract

Goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara aggregations and relative abundance were mapped and discussed through the use of fishermen local ecological knowledge in Babitonga bay, southern Brazil. Six well experienced informants were systematically selected and asked to draw individual sketch maps over a satellite image of the study area, which were then overlaid and gathered into a final map. Goliath grouper was found to inhabit a broad salinity and depth range, from shallow estuarine areas (less then 5 m deep) with high freshwater input, to coastal marine dominated environments (at least 35 m deep). The species is also found inhabiting hard substrates such as rocky reefs around islands and continental shores, submerged rocky outcrops and shipwrecks. Among several aggregation sites mapped (ranging from 2 to approximately 60 individual fish sighted), a few can be regarded as spawning aggregation sites through conclusive evidences of high abundance and spawning activity. Priority areas for the species research and conservation were identified, and alternative research approaches were suggested and discussed in terms of their potentials and limitations. Based on our surveys results and further new anecdotal accounts, we suggest that local ecological knowledge will likely play an important role in the research and conservation of reef fish spawning aggregations in Brazil. Fisher’s resource mapping provided a means of exchanging information among various disciplines while maintaining a reasonable methodological rigor and provided a clear and straight forward way of presenting fishermen knowledge.

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