First record of peacock bass (Cichla sp.) capture dynamics in a sport-fishing tournaments in the Brazilian Amazon

Primeiro registro da dinâmica de captura de tucunarés (Cichla sp.) em um torneio de pesca esportiva na Amazônia Brasileira

Abstract

Aim  The objective of this study was to characterize the sport-fishing tournament “Amigos do Tarumã” over the nine tournaments held between 2014 and 2023 in the state of Amazonas. This research generated the first report on the dynamics of peacock bass (Cichla sp.) catches at the Amigos do Tarumã tournament in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, over nine events between 2014 and 2023.

Methods  The data were provided by the organizer and creator of the event, with additional documents being obtained from the Institute of Environmental Protection of Amazonas and the State Secretariat for the Environment of Amazonas. Catches were recorded for each team and year, and statistical analyses were performed using descriptive analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test to verify possible differences in total length (cm) over the years. About 1,700 fishers participated in the nine tournaments, with 1,240 peacock bass being caught, of which 726 were measured.

Results  The total lengths recorded ranged between 30 and 75 cm. There were significant differences in the average total length of the peacock bass only in the tournaments between 2014 and 2019 (P < 0.05).

Conclusions  In addition, the results suggest that, as a precautionary measure, tournaments that target peacock bass (Cichla sp.) should adopt the minimum catch size of 32 cm, in order to guarantee sustainability and the conservation of the peacock bass stock in the region.

Keywords:
fishing management; sport fishing; catch and release; Negro river; fishing tourism