Rodrigo Machado

This study analyses the use of marine mammals from a zooarchaeological perspective through a global systematic review of indexed scientific articles. To assess the scale of human–marine mammal interactions over time, searches were conducted in four databases (Scielo, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science) in 11 languages. The results were managed using StArt 3.0.3 and refined with 275 keywords, including scientific names of all known marine mammal species (n = 139). The review identified 60 articles reporting marine mammals in archaeological contexts. In total, 465 archaeological sites from 25 countries across five continents were recorded, representing 54 species. Pinnipeds and cetaceans were the most frequent taxa, indicating widespread and recurrent exploitation of marine mammals by past human societies worldwide.

Bycatch is recognized as the primary threat to the viability of marine mammal populations. Given that bycatch levels display strong variations in space and time, knowledge of individual fishery‐marine mammal interaction will likely achieve working solutions. Here, we quantify marine mammal bycatch in the trawl fishery of the San Matías Gulf, Argentina, for the first time using data from onboard observers and fishing effort records. We infer expected annual mortality, evaluate the probability of exceeding conservation thresholds, and explore the importance of relevant covariates to account for broadscale differences in bycatch rates. The South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) was the most incidentally caught species (46 individuals), while only one common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) was taken. Bycatch of sea lions was primarily associated with the catch of the target species, proximity to colonies, and the identity of the target species. The maximum estimated bycatch rate was 0.12 animals/haul and 0.08 animals/tonne of target species landed, with significantly higher bycatch rates observed in the hake fleet. For the whole period, the annual bycatch mortality were below the reference points. Our findings highlight potential hotspots of marine mammal bycatch and provide valuable insights for refining future mitigation measures and enhancing conservation efforts.

O Farol de Santa Marta (FSM) abriga uma comunidade de pesca tradicional do estado de Santa Catarina (SC). A pesca no FSM é uma atividade com grande importância cultural e socioeconômica, porém, é notória a ausência de informações referente a suas atividades. Neste sentido, o estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a pesca de pequena escala realizada no Farol de Santa Marta. A caracterização foi realizada através de entrevistas com os mestres de 26 embarcações através do método “bola-de-neve”. Como resultado, foi possível identificar que as principais artes de pesca utilizadas são redes de emalhe de superfície e de fundo e rede de cerco. As principais espécies alvo são a anchova (Pomatomus saltatrix) e a tainha (Mugil liza). As principais embarcações utilizadas no FSM são os botes. As áreas de pesca exploradas têm limite sul na cidade de Passo de Torres (SC) e ao norte na cidade de Florianópolis (SC). A comercialização do pescado é feita para atravessadores e a divisão dos lucros dos pescadores do FSM é em partes. Embora tenha mudado ao longo do tempo, a pesca de pequena escala do Farol de Santa Marta ainda é a principal fonte de renda local da comunidade, gerando renda e alimento para inúmeras famílias. Palavras-chave: Etnobiologia. Conhecimento tradicional. Pesca artesanal. Socioeconomia. Desenvolvimento regional.

This study describes a recreational fishing method focused on marine catfish,Genidens barbus(Endangered-EN), through the adoption of its eggs as a natural bait during its reproductive period in southern Brazilian ecosystems. MaleG. barbusperform parental care, collecting eggs released by females after the fertilization process. Owing to this male behavioural pattern during the reproductive period, these individuals are easily caught in recreational fisheries that use eggs of the same species as a natural bait. The current adoption ofG. barbuseggs as bait may intensify the fishing pressure on its populations.

Many marine mammal species, such as pinnipeds, have shown an increased frequency of interaction with fisheries. Thus, we aimed to investigate the operational interactions between commercial fishing and sea lion species of all five continents, between 1982 and 2018. We found 130 publications in which operational interactions between commercial fisheries and the species of sea lions were detected, in 12 countries. These interactions included bycatch, presence of the animals around boats, depredation, gear damage, entanglement in lost/discarded fishing gear, boat collisions, aggressions, gear-related injuries and harassment. Trawl and gillnet fisheries showed significantly increased association with bycatch, although purse seine fishing was reported as having the largest groups of pinnipeds in the interactions. Gillnet and line fisheries registered more events of depredation and gear damage. Other interactions, such as entanglement and aggressions, were also very common for all species. We suggest that the interactions should be monitored using the data of onboard observers from different fleets and fisheries. Bycatch limits, change in fishing practices, decreased fishing effort, and the establishment of effective MPAs may reduce impact on the fauna. Moreover, data on bycatch should be standardized to enable comparisons between fisheries and locations. The extent of commercial losses caused by pinnipeds should also be characterized to depict the real impact of operational interactions in fisheries economy. Lastly, the identification of interaction hotspots can enable efficient conflict management in the affected areas.