Mauro Ruffino

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I´m a Oceanologist, Master in Scinecne in Biological Oceanography.Over the last 20 years, I have participated in several national and international projects, acting as long and short term consultants, as well as assuming some public positions in Brazilian government agencies. I participated in numerous international and national workshops, seminars and symposia. I have taught numerous training courses for fishermen, government technicians, managers, university students and post-graduate students. I have experience in Bilateral Technical Cooperation with Germany (GIZ) and the United Kingdom (DFID) as well as Financial Cooperation (KfW and The World Bank). During this period, I gained extensive experience in the following areas: i) Management and conservation of natural resources and fisheries
Address: Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil

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Julian D Reynolds

Trinity College Dublin

David Seamon

Kansas State University

Armando Marques-Guedes

UNL - New University of Lisbon

José F. González-Maya

Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Lerma

Rob S E A N Wilson

University of California, Santa Cruz

Timothy Morton

Rice University

Nicola Lupo

LUISS Guido Carli

Dr. Javier Bragado Echevarría

Universidad de Granada

Luiz Eduardo Moraes

Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais

Juan Jose Iglesias Rodriguez

Universidad de Sevilla

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Papers by Mauro Ruffino

Fish catches among riverside communities around Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, Lower Amazon, Brazil

Fisheries Management and Ecology, Aug 1, 2000

Forty‐six families living around the Amazon floodplain lake of Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, Brazi... more Forty‐six families living around the Amazon floodplain lake of Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, Brazil, were monitored between April 1993 and March 1995 with respect to their fish catches. The average catch per fisherman was 22 kg day‐1. There were significant differences between subsistence and commercial fishing, and also across different seasons of the year. Catch was higher in the dry season and in the lake environment, followed by the river environment. The flooded forest was exploited in the rainy season. Out of a total of more than 70 fish species, 10 taxa comprised 75% of the catch. The catch in the Monte Alegre region concentrated on smaller species for local consumption. Prochilodus nigricans (Spix &amp; Agassiz) was the most important species, followed by Liposarcus pardalis (Castelnau) and Plagioscion spp. Comparisons between quantities of fish consumed and fish marketed indicated that the fishery has a much more important role in the region than previously thought.

Fisheries development in the lower Amazon River

Abstract The present state of knowledge about fishing activities in the lower Amazon is presented... more

Sistema integrado de estatística pesqueira para a Amazônia

Comanagement of the Application of Fisheries Resources in the Amazon: Present Status and Challenges for Management and Conservation

The present article documents the progress of the comanagement strategies for the application of ... more The present article documents the progress of the comanagement strategies for the application of fisheries resources in the Amazon over the last 10 years, as has been observed through localized, diffuse, and demonstrative experiments. The article also shows that some of these experiments have played a key role in the modification and establishment of new relations, through the projection of these findings onto regions, both in the short and long terms. The background and reported experiments exemplify how diversified groups, such as communities, fishing colonies, local NGOs, governmental agencies, and international donors and organizations related to international conservation, can work together in order to develop a new comanagement system of fisheries resources that supports and legitimates the efforts of base organizations so as to defend the resources and livelihoods. The process of fisheries intensification and local organizational development has led to the emergence of new models of joint management. However, the establishment of these models not only has represented a response to an ecological change (effort restriction and an increase in the lakes’ productivity), but also has raised the question of the right to common resources as a matter of concern. Despite the considerable progress made up to the present moment, it is necessary to carry out an analysis on the shared river basins, to perform a critical evaluation of the diverse fisheries activities, aimed at assessing their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately to evaluate the institutional mechanisms (rules, procedures, monitoring) which may be necessary to determine management and comanagement strategies with the adjoining Amazon countries.

Dinámica poblacional del camarón (Artemesia longinaris) del sur de Brasil

A Pesca Artesanal No Baixo Amazonas: Análise Multivariada Da Captura Por Espécie

Acta Amazonica, Sep 1, 1996

RESUMO-Dados sobre esforço e captura por espécie correspondentes à produção pesqueira desembarcad... more RESUMO-Dados sobre esforço e captura por espécie correspondentes à produção pesqueira desembarcada no porto de Santarém, no ano de 1993, foram submetidos a duas técnicas de análise multivariada: uma análise de fatores segundo o método de componentes principais e outra de covariância conforme o modelo linear geral (GLM). Os resultados indicam que a atividade pesqueira na região está influenciada pelas características dos ciclos de vida das espécies-alvo, pelo ciclo hidrológico e condição climáticas de sistema, e ainda pelas preferências culturais e interesses econômicos do mercado consumidor. Os resultados indicam o direcionamento da atividade pesqueira para determinados grupos de espécies, e as diferentes variáveis incluídas no modelo permitiram uma explicação aproximada dos padrões desse direcionamento. Esses padrões são: (a) pesca de grandes bagres, alvo de pesca para a exportação (FATOR 1); (b) pesca de entre-safra do mapará (Hypophthalmus spp.) e da pescada (Plagioscion spp.), realizada nos lagos com um componente para exportação e outro para o consumo local (FATOR4); (c) pesca de peixes de escamas de hábitos sedentários e/ou migratórios, alvo da pesca comercial de pequena escala e de importância no mercado local (FATOR2, FATOR3 e FATOR5), que inclui pescarias importantes como a do tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) e do pirarucu(Arapaima gigas) nos lagos, ou a do jaraqui (Semaprochilodus spp.) e pacu (Mylossoma spp. e Metynnis spp.) nos rios. Palavras-chave: pesca artesanal, Baixo Amazonas, dinâmica da pesca. Artisanal Fishery in the Lower Amazon: Multivariate Analysis of the Catch by Species. ABSTRACT-Effort and catch data per species making up for fisheries yield landed in 1993 in the city of Santarém were submitted to two techniques of multivaliate analysis: a factor analysis by the principal components method and a covariance one using the general lineal model (GLM). Results suggest fishing activities in the region is influenced by the life cycle peculiarities of target species, by the water cycle and the weather conditions in the system, as well as by the cultural biases and economic interests of the consumer market. The results revealed the directioning of fishery activities toward certain groups of species, and those patterns were identified: (a) the fishing of large catfishes for export (FACTOR1); (b) the between-seasons fishing of mapará (Hypophthalmus spp.) and pescada (Plagioscion spp.) in lakes, with local and for export components (FACTOR4); (c) the fishing of sedentary and/or migratory scaled fishes, targeted by small-scale commercial fisheries with local importance (FACTOR2; FACTOR3 and FACTORS), which includes important catches such as tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and pirarucu (Arapaima gigas) in the lakes, or jaraqui (Semaprochilodus spp.) and pacu (Mylossoma spp. and Metynnis spp.) in rivers.

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Population dynamics of tambaqui, <i>Colossoma macropomum</i> Cuvier, in the Lower Amazon, Brazil

Fisheries Management and Ecology, Dec 1, 1996

ABSTRACT Fishery statistics and length data series for Colossoma macropomum Cuvier obtained durin... more ABSTRACT Fishery statistics and length data series for Colossoma macropomum Cuvier obtained during 1992 and 1993 in the Lower Amazon, Brazil were used to describe the fishery and to estimate growth and mortality rates. Mean population parameters were L∞ = 119.85 cm (total length), W∞ = 33.4 kg, K = 0.228 year–1, C = 0.505, Winter Point = July, M = 0.445 year–1, F = 0.94 year–1 and Lc = 28.29 cm. Yield-per-recruit analysis showed that an excessive fishing effort and principally a very low length at first capture lead to an increase in overfishing in the region. Corrective measures are recommended.

Consumo De Pescado e Outros Alimentos Pela População Ribeirinha Do Lago Grande De Monte Alegre, Pa - Brasil

Acta Amazonica, Sep 1, 1997

RESUMO-O presente artigo apresenta resultados sobre o consumo de pescado e outros alimentos pela ... more RESUMO-O presente artigo apresenta resultados sobre o consumo de pescado e outros alimentos pela população ribeirinha do Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, no Estado do Pará, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados mensalmente, por um período de dois anos juntos a 35 famílias de 17 comunidades, que praticam a pesca com fins comerciais e de subsistência, bem como as famílias que nào pescam. O consumo médio de pescado foi de 369 g/capita/dia, complementado com 6,lg/capita/dia de farinha de peixe (piracuí). As espécies mais consumidas foram: curimatá (Prochilodus nigricans) e acarí-bodó (Liposarcus partialis). Em média, as famílias tiveram alguma refeição constituída de pescado em 6 dias de cada semana. Extrapolando para toda a população do Lago, o consumo diário de pescado é pouco mais de 3 t, chegando a 1.114 t/ano.

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From Amazon Catfish to Mekong Money Fish: Size‐based Assessment of Data‐Limited Commercial Inland Fisheries

Fisheries, 2021

Inland fisheries are often complex, spatially dispersed, and seasonal. A lack of monitoring can r... more Inland fisheries are often complex, spatially dispersed, and seasonal. A lack of monitoring can result in unreliable or incomplete catch data, suggesting a role for assessment methods based on population size structure. This paper evaluates and compares empirical size‐based indicators and the length‐based spawning potential ratio model as candidate tools for assessing data‐limited commercial fisheries in inland systems. Case study applications are presented for a contrasting set of important fisheries in the Amazon Basin (Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru), the Tonlé Sap River (Cambodia), Paraná River (Argentina), and Bayano Reservoir (Panama). These case studies were selected to explore the effects on assessment of factors including lack of life history information, spatial separation of life history stages, modality in population size structure of floodplain river fish, and fishing gear selectivity. An international workshop was organized to bring together experts from the study...

High levels of genetic variability and panmixia of the tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Cuvier, 1816) in the main channel of the Amazon River

Journal of Fish Biology, 2007

In this study, the complete mitochondrial control region of 48 tambaqui Colossoma macropomum spec... more In this study, the complete mitochondrial control region of 48 tambaqui Colossoma macropomum specimens from five localities along a 2200 km transect of the Amazon basin was analysed. High genetic variability was observed in all localities sampled. Analyses of molecular variance indicated that nearly all of the molecular variance was contained within localities, and estimates of gene flow among localities were high. These results suggest that the tambaqui forms a panmictic population along the Solimões‐Amazon River channel and are in agreement with species‐typical behaviour of semi‐migratory movements driven by dispersal for feeding and reproduction during its life cycle. Inspite of the observed high levels of genetic variability and mutation‐drift equilibrium of the mtDNA control region, the tambaqui has experienced a 90% demographic decrease and reduction of size at maturity in the past two decades. Population estimates based on molecular markers therefore do not reflect its curren...

The Hydrological Cycle of the Lower Amazon in Brazil Determines the Variation in Local Fishing Patterns

Fishes

Fishery catches on the Lower Amazon River were analyzed in relation to the hydrological cycle, te... more Fishery catches on the Lower Amazon River were analyzed in relation to the hydrological cycle, temporal shifts in fishing effort, and the use of nets or lines in lakes and rivers. The study was based on a temporal series of catch data collected between January 1993 and June 2011. The variables analyzed were the total catch, use of gillnets or lines, the environment targeted (lakes or rivers), and fishing effort. Temporal trends in the data series were analyzed using the Mann–Kendall test. An Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to evaluate whether gillnet and line catches had independent effects on the catch data. Duncan’s test was applied to identify the groups (months) of means that were significantly different from each other. The majority of the catch landings were taken with gillnets (98.65%) in a lake environment (64.98%). The temporal series showed a significant decline over time in the gillnet catches from both lakes and rivers, as well as in fishing effort. The influenc...

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The commercial fisheries of the lower Amazon: an economic analysis

Fisheries Management and Ecology, Jun 1, 2001

This study characterizes the ®shermen and the commercial ®shing¯eet of the lower Amazon, based on... more This study characterizes the ®shermen and the commercial ®shing¯eet of the lower Amazon, based on data collected from 5446 boats operating out of the city of SantareÂ m in 1997. An economic analysis of the activities of these boats was based on 50 interviews with boat operators. Larger and smaller boats use essentially the same technology, but there are signi®cant dierences in ®shing strategies. Smaller boats supply local markets and their catch consists of a large variety of ®sh species. Larger boats tend to specialize in a small number of cat®sh species, and supply ®sh processing plants. Smaller boats are less ecient in terms of catch per unit eort (CPUE) (kg ®sherman ±1 day ±1), but are more ecient economically, earning more for each unit of capital invested than larger boats. Most boats operating from SantareÂ m have a storage capacity of <4 t. Boats in this size (0<4 t) account for 87% of the total¯eet direct employment, and 73% of total income. Thus despite the lack of attention from regional policy makers, these smaller boats are an important source of food, income and employment in the lower Amazon region.

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Estrutura, dinâmica e economia da pesca comercial do baixo Amazonas

Novos Cadernos NAEA, Dec 1, 2009

O objetivo desse estudo é de caracterizar o pescador e a frota pesqueira do Baixo Amazonas. Este ... more O objetivo desse estudo é de caracterizar o pescador e a frota pesqueira do Baixo Amazonas. Este estudo está baseado em entrevistas com operadores ou donos de barcos referentes a 3.144 desembarques nos quatro principais portos da cidade de Santarém. Uma análise econômica da atividade desses barcos está baseada em 52 entrevistas conduzidas especifi camente para esse fi m. Os resultados mostraram que tanto os barcos grandes como os pequenos utilizam, essencialmente, a mesma tecnologia, mas que existem diferenças significativas em termos de estratégias de pesca. Barcos pequenos abastecem o mercado local com captura de uma grande variedade de espécies de peixe. Barcos grandes tendem a se especializar na captura de peixes lisos e, geralmente, abastecem os frigorífi cos. Os barcos pequenos são menos eficientes em termos de CPUE (KG/Pescador/Dia), mas eles são economicamente mais efi cientes, ganhando mais para cada unidade de dinheiro investido. A maior parte dos barcos que operam em Santarém possui capacidade de gelo abaixo de 4t. Essa categoria de barco é de grande importância para fornecimento de proteína animal, renda e emprego para a região de Santarém.

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A pesca e aqüicultura na Amazônia brasileira

ABSTRACT This article presents a brief overview on fishing and aquaculture in the Amazon region. ... more ABSTRACT This article presents a brief overview on fishing and aquaculture in the Amazon region. Similarly, we make reference to some statistics on consumption of fish and production of fish come from fishing and aquaculture, bearing in mind the social and economic importance of fresh-water fishing. On the other hand, we try to describe the main cropping systems used in aquaculture as products marketed. Finally, we present the strategies and management of existing policies for fishing and aquaculture in the region.

Addressing Common Demands of Community Fisheries in the Brazilian Amazon

ABSTRACT The non utilization of fishing management techniques in the Amazônia has many causes suc... more ABSTRACT The non utilization of fishing management techniques in the Amazônia has many causes such as land tenure instability, inadequate legislation and public policies, the advance of cattle ranching over the floodplains and lack of adequate credit and incentives. Amongst the effects caused by this problem we find the alteration of the ecological process in the floodplains, a decrease in some fish stock and the social and economic negative impacts on local communities. However, in the 90s the flooded forests and floodplains in the Amazônia started to get some special attention, both from civil society and government as well as from researchers, concerning the sustainable management of fishing resources. Initially, rules and usage patterns for commercial fishing management were established directed to the big undertakings. Although, a normative approach for the small communities had not been considered yet, and the main demands raised by the communities do not subsidize fishing public policies. These communities, dependent on intermediaries linked to the industries, sold their produces and their rights to exploit the lakes at low prices, or were subjected to unfair barter. An effort from non-governmental organizations, fisher&#39;s colonies, local communities and government, led to changes in this scenario from the mid 90&#39;s onwards. Firstly, it was acknowledged the importance to differentiate and support fishing community management actions as a strategy of usage and conservation of the flooded forests and their floodplains. Afterwards, a reference document was released by IBAMA for the implementation of fishing agreements as an instrument for community management. Thirdly, there were proposals of donation to support projects in this area. The First Fishing Community Management Meeting in Amazônia, which took place in May 2002 in Manaus, Amazonas, was an important landmark for fisheries in Amazônia. Fishermen from many regions in the Amazônia were gathered to promote an exchange of experience on community management with other fishers and technicians, to evaluate the present situation - main problems, lessons learned and necessities - and to propose actions to strengthen and to consolidate this management practice that was developed by traditional peoples. The object of this article is (i) to record the efforts of local communities on the participatory management of fishing resources; and (ii) to make clear the existence of demands and proposals recommended by the local communities as subsidies to public policies on sustainable fishing management in Amazônia.

Estimativa do tamanho de estoques pesqueiros da Amazônia baseada em dados de captura e esforço

As abordagens tradicionais para avaliacao de estoques pesqueiros tem conduzido a resultados inapr... more As abordagens tradicionais para avaliacao de estoques pesqueiros tem conduzido a resultados inapropriados, devido a um conjunto de premissas que ficam ocultas quando se representa um processo biologico por numeros. Neste trabalho uma abordagem alternativa e utilizada para avaliar o potencial pesqueiro total da Amazonia, lidando com a incerteza da capturabilidade atraves de um modelo probabilistico de mistura. Os resultados mostram que o potencial pesqueiro total da regiao amazonica e de, no minimo, 200 mil toneladas anuais, confirmando resultados anteriores. Desta este trabalho sugere que e necessario utilizar abordagens probabilisticas que levem mais em conta a “fishmetics”, mas que o desafio dos pesquisadores e traduzir incerteza dai advinda de uma forma que seja util para o processo de tomada de decisao sem comprometer o rigor cientifico no desenvolvimento da ciencia da avaliacao de estoque.

Participatory management of fisheries in the Brazilian Amazon

South America is home to a great number of fish species, the total of which has yet to be establi... more South America is home to a great number of fish species, the total of which has yet to be established. The largest diversity has been found in the Amazon Basin, with more than 1,300 species so far described. The ecosystem that sustains Amazon fisheries has three components: the flood plains, the river channels and the estuary. Each one supports hundreds of fish species with diverse habitats, the destruction of which would result in loss of biodiversity. The most immediate concern for Amazonian commercial fish is the loss of floodplain (várzea) forest and herbaceous plants, which supply fruits, seeds, leaves, terrestrial arthropods and other food sources for fish. The trophic chain is extremely complex.

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Participative management of Amazonian natural resource-ProVárzea ' s experience

From the 1990s the Amazon became the target of development projects and research directed to the ... more From the 1990s the Amazon became the target of development projects and research directed to the conservation of nature. One of these initiatives was the ProVárzea, project linked to PPG7 facing the management of floodplain ecosystems of central Amazon Basin. This study analyzes the results, impacts and lessons from the ProVárzea support regarding participatory management projects of Amazonian natural resources. In the period 2004-2007, were conducted technical visits and realized meetings involving beneficiaries, technicians and coordinators to each one of the projects supported. Additionally, reports of implementation of activities of the experiences of developed systems were analyzed. During six years, the ProVárzea project invested an amount of R$ 8.928.834,34 among 25 supported projects, benefiting 115.486 people in 39 municipalities in the states of Amazonas and Pará, and promoting management in approximately 100.000 ha of terrestrial and water ecosystems. The supported projec...

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Intervenções e Impactos Dos Projetos De Manejo Dos Recursos Naturais Apoiados Pelo Provárzea

ABSTRACT

Provárzea - a Natural Resource Management Project for the Amazon Flood Plains

The várzea is a rich and unique ecosystem in terms of biodiversity (eg 25% of the total number of... more The várzea is a rich and unique ecosystem in terms of biodiversity (eg 25% of the total number of the world's freshwater fish species are found in the rivers and lakes of the várzea, and other Amazonian water bodies), diversity of uses for its natural resources (timber, non-timber products and fish), and productivity. The soil is the most fertile in the Amazon by virtue of the periodical nutrient renewal. This results from the annual flood pulses, whose white waters transport organic and mineral particles, depositing them on the várzea soil. Terrestrial vegetation is predominantly forest, although in certain areas (for example between lakes and on levees or along the banks of some rivers) natural pasture occurs. Floating vegetation composed of macrophytes can be found in the lakes. The forest vegetation and the macrophytes have a significant influence on aquatic life, providing food (fruits, leaves and seeds) and shelter, principally for the fish and aquatic mammals. These in tu...

Fish catches among riverside communities around Lago Grande de Monte Alegre, Lower Amazon, Brazil

Fisheries Management and Ecology, Aug 1, 2000