An evaluation of the economic viability of environmental offsets in the saltworks industry / Uma avaliação da viabilidade econômica de compensações ambientais na indústria salineira

ABSTRACT: The extraction of sea salt depends on the occupation of large areas at the estuary banks, many of them inserted in Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs). Thus, the objective was to evaluate the economic viability of Environmental Offsets (EO) as an alternative to the unoccupied PPAs in the saltworks. In order to do so, 27 solar saltworks installed in the region of the Brazilian White Coast were evaluated for the occupation of PPAs - measured using images from satellite, georeferenced, vectored with corresponding PPA bands generated - and estimated to EO (Impact Degree x Sum of the investments necessary to implement the project) and Economic Impact (Net Present Value, with long-term interest rate of 7%) of vacating PPAs. It was considered that EO was feasible whenever the costs resulting from it were lower than the economic impact caused by the vacancy of the PPAs. The PPAs were tthe productive area of ​​the saltworksthat occupied 13.70% of PPAs. For all the evaluated enterprises the value corresponding to EO was lower than the Economic Impact resulting from the vacancy of the PPAs. Thus, EO is an economically viable and more attractive alternative to the eviction of PPAs by the saltworks industry and may also provide environmental gains due to the financing of conservation units in the areas of influence of the enterprises. However, there is a need to improve the methodology used to estimate the EO, since a maximum limit is set, the environmental impacts caused by the projects are underestimated.

RESUMO: A extração de sal marinho depende da ocupação de grandes áreas às margens de estuários, muitas delas inseridas em Áreas de Preservação Permanente (APPs). Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a viabilidade econômica da Compensação Ambiental (CA) como alternativa à desocupação de APP pelas salinas. Para tanto, 27 salinas instaladas na região da Costa Branca brasileira foram avaliadas quanto à ocupação de APPs - mensuradas por meio de imagens de satélites, georreferenciadas, vetorizadas com a geração de bandas de APP - e estimados a CA (Grau de Impacto x Somatório dos investimentos necessários para implantação do empreendimento) e o Impacto Econômico (Valor Presente Líquido, com taxa de juros de longo prazo de 7%) da desocupação das APPs. A CA foi considerada viável quando seus custos resultantes foram menor do que o impacto econômico causado pela desocupação das APPs. A área produtiva média das salinas ocupa 13,70% de APP. Para todos os empreendimentos avaliados, o valor correspondente a CA foi menor que o Impacto Econômico resultante da desocupação das APP. Assim, a CA é uma alternativa economicamente viável e mais atrativa frente à desocupação das APP pela indústria salineira, podendo ainda propiciar ganhos ambientais em decorrência do financiamento de Unidades de Conservação nas áreas de influência dos empreendimentos. Evidencia-se, contudo, a necessidade do aprimoramento da metodologia usada para estimar a CA, já que fixado um limite máximo, os impactos ambientais provocados pelos empreendimentos são subestimados.

Population structure and reproductive period of two introduced fish species in a Brazilian semiarid region reservoir / Estructura poblacional y período reproductivo de dos especies introducidas de peces en una represa de una región semiárida brasileña

The Amazonian fish species Plagioscion squamosissimus(Sciaenidae) and Cichla monoculus(Cichlidae), have been widely introduced into different reservoirs in Brazil, and have caused many negative impacts on local fish fauna. The aim of this study was to evaluate the population structure (abundance, length structure, length-weight relationship, sex ratio, and length at first maturity) and the reprodutive period of these two species in the Santa Cruz Reservoir (built in 2002), located in the Brazilian semiarid region, for their adequate management and local species conservation policies. Specimens were collected quarterly in eight sites from February 2010 to November 2013 using gillnets (12 to 70 mm mesh between adjacent knots). The specimens captured were counted and the following biometric and biological data were analysed: standard length, total weight, and reproductive data, such as, sex, weight and gonadal maturity stage. The species abundances were estimated by CPUE and expressed as the number of individuals per gill net area x gill net exposition time (m2 x h); length frequency histograms were built with intervals of 5 cm. The length-weight parameters were estimated with a linear regression after a logarithmic transformation of the data. With the reproductive data we estimated sex ratio, reproduction period and length at first maturity (L50). We captured a total of 1 071 specimens of P. squamosissimusand 156 specimens of C. monoculus.Both species showed higher abundances in 2010, 0.004306 m2 x h and 0.00022 m2 x h, respectively, but this parameter decreased from 2010 to 2013. Standard length ranged between 6.4 and 46.2 cm for P. squamosissimus(20.025.0 cm was the most frequent class), and 7.0 and 38.7 cm for C. monoculus(10.0-15.0 cm was the most frequent class). The length-weight relationships were described by the following equations: log10Wt = -1.8349+3.0899log10Lp and R2 = 0.9795 for P. squamosissimus,and log10Wt = -1.7944+3.0885log10Lp and Wt = 0.0160 and R2 = 0.9929 for C. monoculus;both species exhibited positive allometric growth. The sex ratio for both species differed from 1:1, with a predominance of females for P. squamosissimusand males for C. monoculus.The Lp50 was estimated to be 15.90 cm for P. squa-mosissimusand 15.65 cm for C. monoculus,and the reproductive data indicated that both species reproduced throughout the year. We concluded that although the population of both species reduced their abundance over the study period, P. squamosissimusand C. monoculusare established and structured populations in the Santa Cruz Reservoir with individuals growing satisfactorily and reproducing in all seasons, without a well-defined reproductive peak. We suggest that the managers may allow the artisanal and/or sport fisheries of these species.

Las especies de peces amazónicos Plagioscion squamosissimus(Sciaenidae) y Cichla monoculus(Cichlidae), se han introducido ampliamente en diferentes embalses en Brasil, y han causado muchos impactos negativos sobre la fauna de peces locales. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la estructura poblacio-nal (abundancia, estructura de tallas, relación talla-peso, proporción de sexos, y talla de primera madurez) y el período reproductivo de estas dos especies en la represa Santa Cruz, (construida en el 2002), situada en la región semiárida de Brasil. Las muestras se recogieron trimestralmente en ocho sitios de febrero 2010 a noviembre 2013 mediante redes de pesca (12 a 70 mm). Los ejemplares capturados se contaron y se analizaron los siguientes datos bio-métricos y biológicos: longitud estándar, peso total, y datos reproductivos, tales como: sexo, peso y estado de madurez gonadal. Capturamos un total de 1 071 ejemplares de P. squamosis-simusy 156 de C. monoculus.Ambas especies mostraron mayor abundancia en el 2010, 0.004306 m2 x h y 0.00022 m2 x h, respectivamente, pero este parámetro disminuyó de 2010 a 2013. La longitud estándar osciló entre 6.4 y 46.2 cm para P squamosissimusy 7.0 y 38.7 cm para C. monoculus.Las relaciones talla-peso fueron descritas por las siguientes ecuaciones: log10Wt = -1.8349 + 3.0899log10Lp y R2 = 0.9795 para P squamosissimusy log10Wt = -1.7944 + 3.0885log10Lp y Wt = 0.0160 yR2 = 0.9929 para C. monoculus;ambas especies mostraron un crecimiento alométrico positivo. La proporción de sexos para ambas especies difirió de 1:1, con un predominio de hembras en P. squamosissimusy machos en C. monoculus.El LP50 se estimó en 15.90 cm para P. squamosissimusy 15.65 cm para C. monoculus,los datos de reproducción indicaron que ambas especies se reproducen durante todo el año. Llegamos a la conclusión de que aunque la población de ambas especies redujo su abundancia durante el período de estudio, P. squamosissimusy C. monoculusestán ...

Analysis of artisanal fisheries in two reservoirs of the upper Parana River basin (Southeastern Brazil)

We compared the artisanal fisheries, in terms of catch strategies, productivity, and gross per capita income, at two reservoirs: the Barra Bonita (an eutrophic reservoir with some introduced species), and the Jurumirim (an oligotrophic reservoir, with no introduced species). Published data and structured interviews with fishers were used to evaluate fishing activity, fish biomass, and the financial performance of the fisheries. In the Barra Bonita Reservoir we analysed data from 745 fishing trips, from which 86,691.9 kg of fish were landed, with a mean CPUE of 62.4 kg/fisher-1 day-1. The main type of fish caught was tilapia (71,513.5 kg; CPUE of 51.5 kg/fisher-1 day-1), which constituted 82.5% of the biomass caught. In the Jurumirim Reservoir, we analysed data from 2,401 fishing trips, from which 25,093.6 kg of fish were landed, with a mean CPUE of 10.4 kg/fisher-1 day-1. The main type of fish caught was "traíra" (6,158.6 kg; CPUE of 2.6 kg/fisher-1 day-1), which constituted 24.5% of the biomass caught. Ordination analysis (PCA) indicated that there was a difference in composition between the fishing reservoirs and ANCOVA showed that there was a significant difference in fish production between the reservoirs. A Student's t-test showed that fishers in the Barra Bonita Reservoir had a significantly higher gross per capita income than those from the Jurumirim Reservoir. Although the Barra Bonita Reservoir has a higher fish production and the fishers earn a higher gross per capita income, we recommend the Jurumirim Reservoir as a model for artisanal fishery management because fishing activity in this reservoir is viable in the long term and such a model would promote conservation and sustainability. This contrasts with the Barra Bonita Reservoir, in which the fishery is not viable in the long term, due to environmental problems caused by artificial eutrophication and the introduction of alien species. It is also noted that in many countries, management of fisheries based on exotic species has not been viable in the long term.

Nós comparamos a pesca artesanal, em termo de estratégia de captura, produtividade e renda per capita bruta em dois reservatórios: Barra Bonita (reservatório eutrófico e com espécies introduzidas) e Jurumirim (reservatório oligotrófico e sem espécies introduzidas). Dados publicados e entrevistas estruturadas mensais com os pescadores sobre a atividade de pesca, quilo pescado e rendimento financeiro, foram usados para as análises. No reservatório de Barra Bonita foram analisados dados de 745 viagens pesqueiras, que desembarcaram 86.691,9 kg de pescado, com CPUE de 62,4 kg/pescador-1 dia-1. O principal pescado foi a tilápia (71.513,5 kg, CPUE de 51,5 kg/pescador-1dia-1) que representou 82,5% da biomassa pescada. No reservatório de Jurumirim analisamos dados de 2.401 viagens pesqueiras, que desembarcaram 25.093,6, como CPUE de 10, kg/ pescador-1 dia-1. O principal pescado foi a traíra (6.158,6 kg, CPUE de 2,6 kg pescador-1 dia-1), que representou 24,5% da biomassa pescada. Uma análise de ordenação (PCA) indicou diferença na composição pesqueira entre os reservatórios e uma ANCOVA indicou diferença na produção pesqueira entre os reservatórios. Teste t de Student foi significativo e os pescadores do reservatório de Barra Bonita tiveram maior renda per capita bruta. Embora o reservatório de Barra Bonita tenha tido maior produção pesqueira e os pescadores maior renda, recomendamos o reservatório de Jurumirim como modelo para gestão de pesca artesanal nos reservatório, pois a atividade mostrou ser viável em longo prazo bem como ecologicamente correto. Isto contrasta como o reservatório de Barra Bonita, em que a pesca não é viável em longo prazo, devido a problemas ambientais provocados pela eutrofização artificial e pela introdução de espécie. Observou-se que em muitos países, o manejo da pesca com espécies exóticas, não tem sido viável em longo prazo.

Population structure of two Astyanax Baird & Girard, 1854 (Teleostei, Characidae) species from upper Paraguaçu river

The fishes of the family Characidae are among the main species of fresh water fishes in South America. In this work, some aspects of the population structure of two Astyanax species were assessed. The fishes were caught in Santo Antônio and São José rivers, in the Paraguaçu basin, by standardized monthly samplings adapted to the microhabitats. Astyanax sp. b (São José river) presented larger size than Astyanax sp. a (Santo Antônio river). The length-weight relationship showed positive allometric growth for Astyanax sp. a, and negative for Astyanax sp. b. Both the species showed a long reproductive period, with higher activities in dry period.

Os peixes da família Characidae estão entre os principais representantes de peixes de água doce da região Neotropical. Este trabalho apresenta alguns aspectos da estrutura populacional de duas espécies de Astyanax coletadas a partir de amostragens mensais padronizadas e adaptadas a diferentes microhabitats, em trechos dos rios Santo Antônio e São José, tributários do alto curso do rio Paraguaçu. Astyanax sp. b, coletada no rio São José apresentou maior tamanho que Astyanax sp. a, coletada no rio Santo Antônio. A relação peso-comprimento indicou um crescimento alométrico positivo para Astyanax sp. a e negativo para Astyanax sp. b. Ambas as espécies apresentaram um longo período reprodutivo, com maior atividade reprodutiva no período seco.