Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X4125
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Original Article

Using social media to describe catches of recreational fishing in an amazonian hotspot

Usando as redes sociais para descrever as capturas da pesca recreativa em um hotspot amazônico

Beatriz Leite-Silva; Cleomara Ramos Almeida; Jonison Vieira Pinheiro; Cleverson Zapelini; Vinicius José Giglio

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X4125 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e3, 2026
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Abstract

Aim: We used social media posts to describe recreational fishing catches in Cachoeira Porteira, Trombetas River basin, Amazon.

Methods: We analyzed images and videos publicly shared on Instagram between 2019 and 2024, identifying captured fish species, number of individuals, conservation status, and estimated body size.

Results: We recorded 245 individuals belonging to 10 families and 18 species, with trophic groups carnivorous (55%) and piscivorous (34%) dominating the catch composition. The most frequently recorded species were Cichla thyrorus (37.2%) and Hoplias aimara (15.8%). Only 6% of individuals were caught below the first gonadal maturation size (L50), composed of three species of large migratory catfishes (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, Zungaro zungaro, and Phractocephalus hemioliopterus). However, P. hemioliopterus showed a high proportion of catches below its first gonadal maturation size L50 (42%).

Conclusions: Recreational fishing in Cachoeira Porteira targets mainly large predatory fishes, generally at or above maturation size, but with a considerable proportion of immature large catfishes. Social media provides insights into catch composition and size structure, offering an alternative approach to investigate data-poor Amazonian fisheries.

Keywords

culturomics; digital fisheries data; Brazilian Amazon; freshwater sport fishing; catch and release

Resumo

Objetivo: Usamos postagens em redes sociai para descrever as capturas da pesca recreativa em Cachoeira Porteira, bacia do rio Trombetas, Amazônia.

Métodos: Analisamos imagens e vídeos compartilhados publicamente no Instagram entre 2019 e 2024, identificando as espécies capturadas, o número de indivíduos, o status de conservação e o tamanho corporal estimado.

Resultados: Registramos 245 indivíduos pertencentes a 10 famílias e 18 espécies, com os grupos tróficos carnívoros (55%) e piscívoros (34%) dominando a composição das capturas. As espécies registradas com maior frequência foram Cichla thyrorus (37,2%) e Hoplias aimara (15,8%). Apenas 6% dos indivíduos foram capturados abaixo do tamanho de primeira maturação gonadal (L50), compostos por três espécies de grandes bagres migradores (Brachyplatystoma filamentosum, Zungaro zungaro e Phractocephalus hemioliopterus). No entanto, P. hemioliopterus apresentou uma parcela considerável de capturas abaixo de seu tamanho de primeira maturação gonadal L50 (42%).

Conclusões: A pesca recreativa em Cachoeira Porteira tem como alvo principalmente grandes peixes predadores, geralmente em ou acima do tamanho de maturação, mas com uma proporção considerável de grandes bagres imaturos. As redes sociais podem fornecer informações sobre a composição das capturas e a estrutura de tamanhos como uma abordagem alternativa para investigações sobre pescarias amazônicas com baixa disponibilidade de dados.

Palavras-chave

culturomics; dados digitais da pesca; Amazônia brasileira; pesca esportiva em água doce; pesque e solte

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Submitted date:
05/13/2025

Accepted date:
12/11/2025

Publication date:
03/20/2026

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