Impacts on fisheries assessed by local ecological knowledge in a reservoir cascade in the lower São Francisco River, northeastern Brazil

Abstract Our study assessed the fishers’ perception (local ecological knowledge, LEK) concerning environmental impacts on fisheries and fish species in final portion of Sub-Middle Lower São Francisco. The river was divided into four areas where 107 fishers from 22 locations (4 states) were surveyed. dam most significant impact fisheries. loss connectivity, changing complexity, its secondary effects (e.g., flow control, interruption migratory routes) determining factors. Other pointed out, such as pollution, macrophytes, overfishing, non-native species, aquaculture. Among Pseudoplatystoma corruscans Salminus franciscanus have been absent fishery catches for decades. Prochilodus argenteus records are likely associated with migration routes to small tributaries. disturbance favored establishment Oreochromis niloticus, Cichla monoculus, Metynnis lippincottianus along studied section. Over Francisco River, more seawater intrusion changed target activities. Thus, our data validate importance LEK reinforce adverse reservoir cascade fishing fishes.