| Institution: | 1. Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Oceanography, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil;2. Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil;3. Marine Macroecology and Biogeography Laboratory, Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Biodiversidade e Sustentabilidade, NUPEM/UFRJ, Avenida São José Barreto, Macaé, Brazil;4. Biology of Teleosts and Elasmobranchs Laboratory (LABITEL), Department of Ecology and Zoology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil;5. Elasmobranch Research Laboratory, São Paulo State University, Campus do Litoral Paulista, Pça. Infante Dom Henrique, São Vicente, Brazil |
| Abstract: | Brazilian endemic batoid elasmobranch populations have declined dramatically in the past 40 years due to anthropic activities (e.g., overfishing). The Brazilian guitarfish, Pseudobatos horkelii, included in the IUCN red list of endangered species Critically Endangered (CR)], has been captured as by-catch by trawling fishing boats to the edge of extinction. Despite governmental conservation initiatives, the species is still caught and commercialized along the Brazilian coast. In this study, the authors report three rare aggregation events for the Brazilian coast of P. horkelii, inside the only nearshore no-entry Brazilian marine protected area. Strategies for its protection are also discussed. |
