The Biopesca Institute, the institution responsible for monitoring 75 kilometers of beaches with the aim of evaluating the possible impacts of oil activities on marine species, was activated last Thursday (23), around 11:50 am, due to the appearance of 55 rays, three neonate hammerhead sharks and one móbula killed on Peruíbe beach (SP).
The Peruíbe Municipal Secretariat contacted the institute after finding the animals in a stretch of vegetation on Taningwá beach.
In a statement, Biopesca informed that its team went to the site and collected the carcasses, which showed signs of interaction with the fishing net. The bodies were taken for analysis. The Biopesca Institute must prepare a technical report on the occurrence.
According to biologist Italo Bini, from the Biopesca Institute, most of the rays belong to the species Rhinoptera bonasus (Ticonha skate) and some had their stinger cut. The marks suggested that this cut was made with some kind of blade.
“Very likely, these animals were captured by trawling nets, which target shrimp,” comments Rodrigo Valle, general coordinator of the Biopesca Institute.
In the case of rays, in particular, they can be commercialized and their stinger is cut before being sold. “We already know that both rays and sharks can be sold as dogs and the consumer is not informed of this”, explains Bini.
With the arrival of summer and tourists on the beaches of the coast, fishing efforts increase to meet consumption, which can represent a threat to marine species.
According to Valle, trawling is authorized, but as long as it is performed as an artisanal technique, that is, as long as the nets are not powered by engines, for example.
This technique consists of tying the nets to the boats by ropes or chains, allowing them to reach the ocean floor and be dragged. In this way, many animals that are not the target of fishing – turtles, rays and sharks – end up trapped and discarded.
Reference: CNN Brasil
