| Abstract: | Abstract The space and depth distribution of the bottom-line fisheries on the continental shelf of south-east Brazil were analysed, and an attempt was made to identify the areas and depths where fishing effort is concentrated to delimit the main fishing grounds. Four main fishing grounds were identified based on the effort and catches between 1975 and 1985. These were, in decreasing order of importance: north of Espírito Santo state, near the Abrolhos archipelago; adjacent to Rio de Janeiro state, under the influence of Cabo Frio upwelling; north of São Paulo state, encircling Alcatrazes archipelago; and the outer edge of the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo state continental shelves, between the Guanabara and Sepetiba bays. The concentration of the fisheries, the greater catches and the best productivity indices were found in outer and deeper areas along the edge of the continental shelf. There was a concentration of fishing effort and higher catches in deeper grounds, from the north to the south of the regional fishing area. The bathymetric distribution of the fisheries showed that they intensified from 30 m depth to the outer edge of the continental shelf. The fishery productivity indices increased towards a depth of 50 m, but fell thereafter. Fishing activities were lowest during the winter season for the whole region, but intensified during the summer-autumn or spring-summer seasons. |
