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Abstract

Use of the “forjo” in capturing uçá crabs (Ucides cordatus) in the Tapebas community, Fortaleza – CE. The present work was carried out in the estuary of the Ceará river situated in the municipality of Caucaia – CE, from August to December 2003, with the aim of contributing to information about utilization of the “forjo” method of trapping. The capture of the crab Ucides cordatus (Linnaeus, 1763) in the Tapebas community, Ceará State, is mainly done by “forjo”. The “forjo” is a crab trap made out of an oil can, a tyre innertube, wire, and mangrove sticks. Each crab gatherer uses from 80 to 100 “forjos”, placed in various areas of the mangrove. In our study, the average lengths of 2001 captured males and females were 45.54mm and 44.78mm, respectively. The crabs captured from the mangrove area of the Ceará river are marketed within the vicinity of the community itself, and the crab production in the Tapebas community is extremely important on account of the fact that there are few other alternatives for income.