FISH SPECIES CAUGHT BY SHRIMP TRAWLERS OFF THE COAST OF SERGIPE, IN NORTH-EASTERN BRAZIL, AND THEIR LENGTH-WEIGHT RELATIONS

The objective of this study was to report all fish species caught by shrimp trawlers based in Pirambu, in the state of Sergipe, Brazil and estimate the length-weight relation (LWR) for the most abundant species in the samples. Four samples were collected monthly from four shrimp trawlers. A total of 8522 fishes were caught (89 species; 38 families). LWRs were estimated for 18 species having the parameter b within the range of 2.5-3.5: Cathorops spixii (Agassiz, 1829); Stellifer brasiliensis (Schultz, 1945); Pellona harroweri (Fowler, 1917); Odontognathus mucronatus Lacepede, 1800; Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1875); Stellifer rastrifer (Jordan, 1889); Isopisthus parvipinnis (Cuvier, 1830); Selene brownii (Cuvier, 1816); Anchoa spinifer (Valenciennes, 1848); Trinectes paulistanus (Miranda Ribeiro, 1915); Symphurus plagusia (Bloch et Schneider, 1801); Chirocentrodon bleekerianus (Poey, 1867); Stellifer stellifer (Bloch, 1790); Citharichthys spilopterus Gunther, 1862; Ctenosciaena gracilicirrhus (Metzelaar, 1919); Anchoviella lepidentostole (Fowler, 1911); Peprilus crenulatus Cuvier, 1829; Genyatremus cavifrons (Cuvier, 1830). Five new maximum size records were reported in this study for Trinectes paulistanus, Citharichthys spilopterus, Anchoviella lepidentostole, Chirocentrodon bleekerianus, and Stellifer brasiliensis. Fifty-four new maximum weight records were also registered. LWR estimated here are the first for Genyatremus cavifrons and Peprilus crenulatus.