Abstract

The ecological system of Maracaibo comprises the western regions of the Maracaibo Lake and Gulf of Venezuela. Between February 2004 and June 2008, a total of 96 daily field surveys were conducted within the study area, in order to evaluate the shark catches obtained from the artisanal fishing activities. During the study period, 142 shark specimens were examined; and these comprised seven species, four genera and three families were recorded. The most common species in the catch composition were Carcharhinus limbatus (56.3%) and C. leucas (26.1%). The remaining species, Ginglymostoma cirratum, Rhizoprionodon porosus, C. plumbeus, Sphyrna zygaena y S. tudes, accounted for 17.6%. The seven species of sharks were commonly caught throughout the Gulf of Venezuela; while in the Maracaibo Lake, it was only registered the species C. leucas. In general, shark catches were composed of a high proportion of immature individuals (90-100%). Neonates of C. limbatus and C. leucas (with an open umbilical scar) were observed between April and September. Our results showed that the study area constitute an essential habitat (i.e. nursery area) for the juvenile stage of several species of sharks.

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