Shrimp trawling was monitored in southern Brazil in order to study the reproductive status of teleosts occurring as by-catch. From 2005 to 2007 seventy-six fish species were found in this kind of fisheries. Gonad stages were evaluated and the Reproductive Activity Index was calculated. Mature individuals were 50% of the total caught as by-catch. Breeding activity in Isopisthus parvipinnis was "very high" in spring 2005 and summer 2007, and in a particular season (depending on the species) in Menticirrhus americanus, Stellifer sp., Pomadasys corvinaeformis, Stellifer brasiliensis, Syacium papillosum, Larimus breviceps, Diapterus rhombeus, Symphurus tessellatus, Chirocentrodon bleekerianus, Pellona harroweri, Anchoa tricolor, and Selene setapinnis. In the summer of 2007, followed by the spring of 2005, trawling caught more species in "high" or "very high" breeding activity. In the summer of 2007 a larger number of species was in reproductive activity than the same season of 2006, due to a closed season in October-December 2006. Aiming to improve the fish breeding activity in this region, it is recommended to close this area for shrimp trawling during the spring. This measure could be positive for both species that spawn in spring and those preparing to spawn in the summer.
By-catch; closed season; small-scale fishery; spawning; teleosts
