When subsistence fishing meets conservation issues: Survey of a small fishery in a neotropical river with high biodiversity value

The inland fisheries sector is central for subsistence in many regions worldwide. exploitation of fish resources expected to increase along with the growing human population, underlying conservation issues high biodiversity value. small fishery Maroni River, French Guiana, a hotspot and endemism where resource depletion suspected. We surveyed 754 boat landings seven villages located upper half watershed, representing > 6300 during study period (November 2013 - September 2014). Fishers used canoes outboard engines almost exclusively (75 %) fished within 32 km their villages. Most were caught trammel nets (81 %); 20 most-landed species represented more than 87 % catches. Depending on village, daily catches biomass averaged 6–14 1.7−13 kg per landing, respectively. Seven control sites outside fishing grounds identify potential differences catch unit effort size. Per 100 m2 net, mean ranged from 4 13 8–29 sites, respectively, while 0.9 3.2−7 For all combined, at bigger those landed This difference was significant nine species. Differences techniques between illustrated gradual disappearance ancestral fishing. Our results support indications that community River harvested intensively, address issue sustainability there, call attention need conserve river’s remarkable biodiversity.