Biology and conservation of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) in the north of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

This paper describes the interactions of the franciscana (Pontoporia blainvillei) with fisheries in the north of Rio de Janeiro State (210 18’S-220 25’S) and presents new information on its biology. A total of 181 dolphins were caught in gillnet fisheries in northern Rio de Janeiro from 1986-1999. The annual catch per unit effort (CPUE) values varied from 0.2-1.8 dolphins per gillnet fishing effort. Incidental captures were recorded throughout the year, usually less than 10 n.miles from shore, in depths less than 30m and in surface-set gillnets. There was no difference in the proportion of sexes (1 male:1.1 females). Males ranged from 66-130.0cm and 0-5 years and females from 74-147.5cm and 0-9 years. The predicted asymptotic length (using the Gompertz model) was 121.9cm for males and 145.6cm for females. Calving occurs throughout the year, with no seasonal pattern. Females attain sexual maturity at 3 years and 130.0cm in length and males at 2 years and 115.0cm. Individuals up to the age of three years represented 74% of the dolphins captured. Franciscana preferentially feed on the teleosts Stellifer sp., Anchoa filifera, Pellona harroweri and Isopisthus parvipinnis, measuring up to 10cm of length, and on the cephalopods Loligo sanpaulensis and L. plei. No internal parasites were observed. The barnacle Xenobalanus globicipitis was recorded on only one individual. Sightings were recorded in all seasons and 90% of them were obtained up to 5 n.miles from shore, in waters up to 15m deep. Around 70% of groups sighted consisted of up to five dolphins. Estimates of the population size and continuous gillnet fleet monitoring are required to conserve franciscana in the northern limit of its distribution range. The differences in the somatic, reproductive and genetic patterns of franciscana represent important aspects that may be used as evidence to best define their stocks. These variations may reflect the reduction of gene flow between populations, the allocation of resources between growth and reproduction and/or the influence of environmental features, such as water temperature and food availability.