Surf-zone fish assemblage structure and its diel variability in an ocean beach of Espírito Santo (Central Brazilian coast)

We characterized the surf-zone fish assemblage structure of an ocean beach on central coast Brazil (Guriri Beach, Espírito Santo) and assessed its diel variability. Like entire Santo coast, Guriri Beach was also affected by ore tailings from Fundão dam, which collapsed November 5, 2015. Monthly samplings were carried out before dam collapse along a year cycle (May 2013-April 2014), during day night in neap tide, using seine. A total 2217 specimens caught (1017 1200 at night), distributed 36 species 20 families. Juveniles kingcroaker Menticirrhus spp., great pompano Trachinotus goodei, Florida carolinus, littlescale threadfin Polydactylus oligodon, Atlantic sabretooth anchovy Lycengraulis grossidens dominated fauna, accounting for 84% capture. The changed irregularly between throughout year. P. oligodon spp. more abundant night, whereas T. carolinus L. day. In most cases, no significant change detected abundance richness night; when differences detected, higher night. Our findings could support monitoring program local fauna serve as before-impact data, allowing accurate quantification tailings' impacts biodiversity.