Occurrence of Urophycis sp. on the east coast of the State of Ceara, Northeast of Brazil

Artisanal fishing traditionally practiced in the Northeast region of Brazil targets a wide list of species that mostly involves fish and crustaceans. This diversity of species captured is attributed to the characteristics of the fishing gear used in these fisheries, such as gill nets and traps. In the State of Cear & aacute;, the area of activity of artisanal fishermen on the east coast, with reference to the groups operating in Icapu & iacute;, ranges from coastal waters to close to the beginning of the continental slope. This scientific note records the capture of a fish that is uncommon in the region, identified as the gadid Urophycis sp., with aAmore frequent occurrence in the southeast and south regions of Brazil. The only specimen was caught in coastal waters near Peroba, Icapu & iacute;, using a gill net at a depth of 25 meters, which corresponds to an approximate distance of 18 nautical miles from the coast. The identification at the genus level was based on the publication by Szpilman (2000), consultation of the website www.fishbase.com and other references.