Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom

Table of Contents - May 2011 - Volume 91, Issue 03  

Research Article

Moon and tide effects on fish capture in a tropical tidal flat

José Amorim Reis-Filhoa1 c1, Francisco Barrosa2, José De Anchieta Cintra Da Costa Nunesa1a2, Cláudio Luis Santos Sampaioa3 and Gabriel Barros Gonçalves De Souzaa1a2

a1 Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n. Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, CEP, 40.170-000

a2 Laboratório de Ecologia Bentônica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n. Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, CEP, 40.170-000

a3 Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca, Campus Arapiraca, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Avenida Beira Rio, s/n. Centro Histórico, Penedo, Alagoas, Brazil, CEP, 57.200-000

Abstract

The influence of the lunar phases and tidal range on the fish capture was analysed in a tidal flat in Barra do Paraguaçu (Baía de Todos os Santos). The sampling was realized in the flood tide and ebb tide of the spring (full moon) and neap (waning moon) tides, between June 2007 and May 2008. At all sampling occasions, two parallel drags were accomplished to the tidal flat, in the same direction of the current, in a 100 m long area marked on the beach beforehand, using a seine net of 15 m × 2.0 m with a mesh of 12 mm between adjacent knots. A total of 2312 fish specimens were captured (26.5 kg), belonging to 75 species from 45 families. The mean number of captured fish was significantly larger in full moon at ebb tides, while the mean weight in the captures was larger in ebb tides. There was significant difference in number of species, number of fish, richness and diversity between full and waning moons. The number of fish and biomass were significantly different between tides. Significant differences were found in community structure regarding trophic groups in relation to tide and moon, although the classic diversity indices did not capture this effect between tides. Furthermore, it was possible to identify preferences of occurrence related to the change of tide in dominant species.

(Received March 16 2010)

(Accepted September 28 2010)

(Online publication December 23 2010)

Keywords

Correspondence:

c1 Correspondence should be addressed to: J.A. Reis-Filho, Programa de Pós Graduação em Ecologia e Biomonitoramento, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Rua Barão de Geremoabo, s/n. Ondina, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, CEP, 40.170-000 email: amorim_agua@yahoo.com.br