Demersal fishing of important commercial fishes (Lophius gastrophisus, Urophisys brasiliensis and Genipterus brasiliensis) and crustaceans (Chaceon ramosae and Chaceon sp.) along the upper slope off southern Brazil has increased dramatically in the last decade. Compilation of available data on the distribution of azooxanthellate corals between 24° and 35° S, compared with the distribution of bottom-longline, bottom-gillnets, trawl and trap fisheries shows that commercial fishing takes place over coral areas, providing evidence deep-sea reefs are important reservoirs of deep marine biodiversity. Since the initial phase of exploitation by demersal fisheries, onboard observers are describing large captures of corals as "bycatch" suggesting deep-sea communities are being destroyed even before being studied. In order to ensure protection of deep-sea coral ecosystems and economic sustainability of demersal fisheries in southern Brazilian waters, adoption of excluded fishing areas in those locations where azooxanthellate Scleractinia occur is strongly recommended.
Brazil; demersal fisheries; deep-sea corals; Scleractinia; continental slope; deep-sea trawl
