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Abstract

Commercial capture of the mangrove crab, Ucides cordatus (L., 1763), in the Gargaú mangrove, RJ. The purpose of this study was analyze the biometry of the mangrove crab, Ucides cordatus (L., 1763), captured commercially in the Gargaú Mangrove (RJ), comparing common practices with the demands of Law no 52/2003 of IBAMA – Brazilian Agency of Environment and Natural Resources – and making inferences about the fishing community’s perception of the species. From April 2002 to March 2003, 571 specimens were analyzed and the highest frequency of males and females was registered in a carapace width of 6,0 6,5cm. The exploration of the mangrove crab is conducted all year round and the gear known as “redinha” is used in its capture, disrespecting the abovementioned law. However, the capture excludes ovigerous females and small-sized specimens, which reflects the fishing community’s concerns about this resource. The exploitation of this crab population probably interferes in its growth pattern, and managerial action needs to be implemented, considering not only the recommendations of scientific studies, but also the local fishermen’s knowledge of the species.