Η δραματική μείωση του αποθέματος του χελιού (Anguilla anguilla L. 1758) σε πανευρωπαϊκό επίπεδο έχει προκαλέσει από τη μια πλευρά, αυξανόμενο ενδιαφέρον για την καλύτερη κατανόηση της βιολογίας και οικολογίας του, και από την άλλη, ανησυχία για το μέλλον του σημαντικού αυτού αλιευτικού πόρου. Ο πρόσφατος κανονισμός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης (Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007) επιβεβαιώνει την επείγουσα ανάγκη για άμεση λήψη διαχειριστικών μέτρων, με στόχο την αποκατάσταση του αποθέματος. Το χέλι είναι ένα είδος με μεγάλη οικονομική σημασία για την Ελλάδα, επειδή αποτελεί ένα εξαγώγιμο προϊόν υψηλής εμπορικής αξίας. Παρόλα αυτά, οι επιστημονικές μελέτες είναι σπάνιες και αποσπασματικές, τόσο στον ελλαδικό χώρο, όσο και στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της ανατολικής Μεσογείου. Ο σκοπός της παρούσας διατριβής ήταν η ανάλυση της υφιστάμενης αλιευτικής εκμετάλλευσης του χελιού και η μελέτη της δυναμικής εισόδου των νεαρών σταδίων του στα ελληνικά εσωτερικά νερά. Η περιοχή μελέτης παρουσιάζει ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον, καθώς βρίσκεται στο ανατολικό όριο της γεωγραφικής κατανομής του είδους. Η ανάλυση των στοιχείων παραγωγής χελιού, που συλλέχθηκαν από το σύνολο της χώρας, δείχνει ότι οι υπάρχουσες χρονοσειρές είναι ελλιπείς, ετερόκλητες και συχνά αντικρουόμενες, οι δε παραγωγές συγκεκριμένων φορέων είναι σοβαρά υπο-εκτιμημένες. Για την ελεύθερη αλιεία υπάρχει σχεδόν παντελής έλλειψη πληροφορίας. Η δυσκολία εύρεσης αξιόπιστης πληροφορίας είναι φανερή, ακόμα και στην περίπτωση της μισθωμένης (δημόσια ιχθυοτροφεία), που υποχρεούται στη δήλωση της παραγωγής. Το πρότυπο εκμετάλλευσης εμφανίζει έντονο τοπικό χαρακτήρα με μεγάλη ετερογένεια (εντονότερο στα μεταβατικά και λιγότερο στα εσωτερικά και θαλάσσια νερά). Η αλιεία χελιού στην Ελλάδα βασίζεται κύρια στο στάδιο του ασημόχελου και είναι εποχική (Νοέμβριος-Φεβρουάριος). Από την ανάλυση των δεδομένων αποκαλύφθηκε σημαντική πτωτική τάση της παραγωγής από τις αρχές της δεκαετίας του ‘80. Η τάση αυτή συμπίπτει με την έντονη μείωση της παραγωγής των χωρών της δυτικής Ευρώπης, γεγονός, που μπορεί να σημαίνει ότι και τα δικά μας αποθέματα ακολούθησαν τις γενικότερες αλλαγές. Ωστόσο, τα δεδομένα αυτά δεν επιτρέπουν την εξαγωγή ασφαλών συμπερασμάτων, καθώς, η ποιότητά τους είναι αμφισβητούμενη και συνεπώς τα στοιχεία αυτά σε καμία περίπτωση δεν μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως ενδεικτικά του δυναμικού της ελληνικής παραγωγής χελιού. Το πρόβλημα της αξιοπιστίας των δεδομένων είναι κοινό για τις περισσότερες χώρες της Ευρώπης και ως εκ τούτου έχει αναγνωριστεί η ανάγκη οργάνωσης ενός διεθνούς συστήματος παρακολούθησης. Για τη μελέτη της δυναμικής εισόδου των γυαλόχελων στα ελληνικά νερά, καθώς και των βιολογικών χαρακτηριστικών τους (βιομετρία και χρωματικά στάδια), πραγματοποιήθηκε πειραματική αλιεία, με τη χρήση βολκών από το 1998 έως το 2000 και από το 2001 έως το 2002. Η μελέτη έγινε σε δύο περιοχές της δυτικής Ελλάδας με διαφορετικά γεωμορφολογικά και υδρολογικά χαρακτηριστικά, στο έλος της Σαγιάδας και στις εκβολές του Αλφειού. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά συγκρίθηκαν με τα αντίστοιχα για τον Ατλαντικό, καθώς το εύρος της παλίρροιας στη Μεσόγειο είναι περιορισμένο, σε αντίθεση με τις ακτές του Ατλαντικού, όπου έχει αποδειχθεί ότι η μετανάστευση ελέγχεται, κυρίως από τον παλιρροιακό κύκλο. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης, η κύρια εποχή εισόδου των γυαλόχελων στα εσωτερικά νερά της Ελλάδας είναι μεταξύ Δεκεμβρίου και Μαρτίου (80% των συλλήψεων). Το εποχικό αυτό πρότυπο είναι παρόμοιο με εκείνο στις ατλαντικές ακτές της ΝΔ Ευρώπης, παρά τη μεγαλύτερη απόσταση των ελληνικών ακτών από τα υποτιθέμενα πεδία ωοτοκίας. Το εποχικό πρότυπο μετανάστευσης, ωστόσο, μεταβάλλεται σε μικρές χωρικές κλίμακες. Οι συλλήψεις γυαλόχελου στο έλος της Σαγιάδας αρχίζουν ένα μήνα νωρίτερα από ότι στον Αλφειό και επίσης, εμφανίζουν διαφορετικό μέγιστο, η Σαγιάδα τον Δεκέμβριο και ο Αλφειός τον Φεβρουάριο. Οι διαφορές αυτές, φαίνεται να συνδέονται με τις ιδιαίτερες τοπικές περιβαλλοντικές συνθήκες (έλος και ποταμός αντίστοιχα). Η ανάλυση των δεδομένων αποκάλυψε ότι η μετανάστευση γίνεται κατά κύματα, με περίοδο από 5 έως 40 ημέρες, και επηρεάζεται από περιβαλλοντικούς παράγοντες, όπως είναι η θερμοκρασία του νερού, η ατμοσφαιρική πίεση, η βροχή και το φως της σελήνης. Το συνολικό πρότυπο, όμως, εμφανίζεται πολύπλοκο και εξαρτώμενο από τη συνέργεια διαφορετικών παραγόντων. Το μέγεθος του γυαλόχελου (μέση τιμή μήκους: 6,02 cm ± 0,34 SD και βάρους: 0,19 g ± 0,05 SD) στις ελληνικές ακτές είναι μικρότερο από εκείνο των ατλαντικών ακτών, αλλά εντάσσεται στο εύρος τιμών που έχουν καταγραφεί για τη Μεσόγειο. Επίσης, εποχική τάση μείωσης εντοπίστηκε στο μέσο μήκος (έως 5%) και βάρος, με τη μείωση του βάρους (έως 45%) να είναι εντονότερη. Η ανάλυση των χρωματικών σταδίων (pigmentation stages) στα γυαλόχελα έδειξε εποχική διαφοροποίηση, παρόμοια με εκείνη των ατλαντικών ακτών. Αντίθετα, τα γυαλόχελα VB σταδίου (διάφανα χωρίς μελανοφόρα) αποτελούν μικρό ποσοστό (<30%) των συλλήψεων στις ελληνικές ακτές, σε σχέση με τη ΝΔ Ευρώπη, όπου κυριαρχούν (>80%) κατά τη μέγιστη άνοδό τους στα ποτάμια, υποδεικνύοντας καθυστερημένη άνοδο στα ελληνικά εσωτερικά νερά μετά τη μεταμόρφωση. Επιπλέον, τα πειράματα, που είχαν στόχο τη διερεύνηση των δυνατοτήτων εκτροφής του γυαλόχελου, που αλιεύθηκε σε ελληνικά ποτάμια, έδειξαν ότι οι ρυθμοί επιβίωσης (96%) και αύξησης (SGR 3,6) είναι ικανοποιητικοί. Η μετατρεψιμότητα της τροφής κυμάνθηκε σε φυσιολογικές τιμές για τόσο μικρά στάδια. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτά δείχνουν ότι η αλιεία και εκτροφή γυαλόχελου μπορούν να ενσωματωθούν σε ένα γενικότερο διαχειριστικό πλαίσιο για το χέλι στη χώρα. Η πολυπλοκότητα του κύκλου ζωής του είδους και η έλλειψη αξιόπιστων στοιχείων για τα χαρακτηριστικά του αποθέματος, δυσκολεύουν τη λήψη απαραίτητων (υποχρέωση εφαρμογής του κοινοτικού κανονισμού) αποτελεσματικών διαχειριστικών μέτρων, όμως, οι πιέσεις έχουν αυξηθεί και οι εμπλεκόμενοι φορείς αναγκάζονται να οδηγηθούν σε ενέργειες και αποφασιστική λήψη μέτρων. Η παρούσα μελέτη παρέχει στοιχεία, που μπορούν να αποτελέσουν τη βάση για την οργάνωση ενός συστήματος παρακολούθησης, τόσο της αλιευτικής εκμετάλλευσης, όσο και της στρατολόγησης του χελιού, σε μια περιοχή, όπου η επιστημονική πληροφορία είναι περιορισμένη. / The dramatic decline of eel stock (Anguilla anguilla L. 1758) in European waters has increased the scientific interest for a better understanding of its biological and ecological aspects as well as the concern for the future of the stock. The latest European regulation concerning measures for the recovery of the European eel stock (Council Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007), which was based on the scientific advice that the stock is outside safe biological limits and that current fisheries are not sustainable, point out the urgent need for an efficient monitoring of the eel stock at all life stages. In Greece, despite the economic importance of the species, the available biological data are scarce and limited. The aim of the present study is to analyze the current eel exploitation status as well as the glass eel migration dynamics in Greek inland waters in an area close to the eastern limit of the species geographical distribution. Towards this aim, eel production data were gathered from all official Greek authorities. Analysis of these data showed that the existing time series are insufficient, heterogeneous and usually contradicting, whereas there is almost entirely absent information concerning individual fishers. Reliable information is difficult to obtain even in cases of leased areas, such as lagoons, in which the leasing enterprises are obliged to declare their annual production. The exploitation pattern showed a pronounced regional character with great heterogeneity (more intensive in transitional and less in inland and sea waters). The Greek eel fishery is mainly based on silver eel stage and showed a clear temporal pattern (November-February). A significant decrease in eel production was observed in the 80’s. The same decreasing trend of eel production had also been observed in regions of western Europe, a fact that could signify that the Greek eel population has followed the whole changes of eel stock in Europe. However, the available data due to their limited quality do not allow reliable conclusions and consequently they cannot be used as an index of the Greek eel production. The need for an efficient international monitoring system has been recognized as this problem is common for the most European countries. In order to study the glass eel entrance in Greek inland waters as well as their biological characteristics (biometry and pigmentation stages), experimental fishing was carried out in two sites (Sagiada marsh and Alfios river - western Greece) from 1998 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2002. The two sites have different geomorphological and environmental features allowing a between sites comparison. The main period of the glass eel entrance was from December to March (80% of catches) and the migration pattern was similar to those observed along the Atlantic coast of southwestern Europe, despite the greater distance of Greek coast from the suggested spawning grounds (Sargasso Sea). However, the temporal pattern was characterized by short term fluctuations. The majority of the catches were recorded from mid November until late March in Sagiada, while in Alfios about one month later, from mid December to mid April. These differences were attributed to the specific local environmental parameters (marsh vs river). The data analysis showed that glass eel short-term freshwater migration consisted of waves with periods from 5 to 40 days and was correlated with environmental factors such as water temperature, atmospheric pressure, rainfall and moonlight. The present results showed that glass eel size (mean length: 6.02 cm ± 0.34 SD and mean weight: 0.19 g ± 0.05 SD) was smaller compared to those reported for the Atlantic coast, but similar to those reported for the Mediterranean. Mean total length and weight showed high variation and also a decreasing trend over the season (up to 5% and 45% respectively). Temporal changes were observed in the pigmentation stages of the glass eels showing a progressive increase of more pigmented individuals throughout the season, similar to those observed for the Atlantic coast. In contrary, glass eels of VB stage (‘true’ glass eel) consisted a small percentage (<30%) of glass eel catches in Greek coast in comparison to southwestern Europe where dominated (>80%) during their major ascent in estuaries indicating delayed ascent in Greek inland water after the eel metamorphosis. Moreover, a rearing experiment was carried out in order to investigate the potential of ‘greek’ glass eel rearing, showed satisfactory results. Both survival rate (96%) and specific growth rate (SGF 3.6) as well as the food conversion rate, showed normal values for such small stages. These results suggest that glass eel fishing and rearing can be integrated in an overall management scheme in the country. The complexity of eel life cycle in combination to the lack of reliable data for the stock characteristics makes difficult the enforcement of the European management measures. At the same time, the EC has increased the pressure towards this direction and the involved entities are obliged to design and receive management measures. The present study provides information that can be used as a baseline to design an efficient monitoring system of eel recruitment and also of fishery activities in a region which very few elements concerning the eel stock are available.

Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. / Bibliography : leaves 201-217. / ix, 216 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Concentrates on the settlement and nursery stages of the life history of Panaeus latisulcatus over a seven year history. Key nursery areas within the Gulf of St. Vincent were monitored between October 1989 and June 1996. It was determined that the best sampling technique was the use of a fully enclosed jet net. A mean index of abundance calculated from these trawls was used to estimate the relative abundance in the area sampled. No particular trend in post larval settlement patterns and juvenile abundance was obvious. A longer time frame may be required to observe significant changes in this species. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 1999

Copies of author's previously published articles inserted. / Bibliography : leaves 201-217. / ix, 216 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Concentrates on the settlement and nursery stages of the life history of Panaeus latisulcatus over a seven year history. Key nursery areas within the Gulf of St. Vincent were monitored between October 1989 and June 1996. It was determined that the best sampling technique was the use of a fully enclosed jet net. A mean index of abundance calculated from these trawls was used to estimate the relative abundance in the area sampled. No particular trend in post larval settlement patterns and juvenile abundance was obvious. A longer time frame may be required to observe significant changes in this species. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 1999

CAPITULO 1 â Perfil dos carpinteiros artesanais de embarcaÃÃes a vela do litoral do estado do Cearà No contexto mundial, durante o sÃculo XV, a construÃÃo naval das embarcaÃÃes veleiras passaram por evoluÃÃes que propiciaram o empreendimento de grandes viagens. Chegando ao Brasil iniciou-se um longo processo de interaÃÃo construtiva das embarcaÃÃes locais com o conhecimento europeu. As jangadas inicialmente construÃdas sem velas evoluÃram e se propagaram por todo o nordeste e, principalmente no Cearà como embarcaÃÃo de pesca artesanal, evoluindo das jangadas de troncos Ãs atuais de tÃbuas, assim como ocorreu evoluÃÃo construtiva artesanal das canoas e botes. O litoral cearense foi percorrido no perÃodo de setembro de 2010 a maio de 2012, identificando-se in loco os tipos de embarcaÃÃes construÃdas, e localizando e entrevistando construtores artesanais de embarcaÃÃes a vela, foco principal deste trabalho. Foram entrevistados 36 carpinteiros de comprovado reconhecimento local, que responderam questionÃrio estruturado com perguntas direcionadas diretamente à identificaÃÃo do construtor artesanal, seu perfil profissional e da sua arte construtiva, permitindo registros fotogrÃficos, filmagens e gravaÃÃes. Os dados de cada questionÃrio foram transcritos para planilhas eletrÃnicas e analisadas, combinando com as gravaÃÃes de entrevistas transcritas e das filmagens. A pesquisa constatou a baixa escolaridade dos carpinteiros artesanais entrevistados, com 44% de alfabetizados e 42% de analfabetos; a inexistÃncia de qualquer registro construtivo empregado; mÃdia de idade; media de tempo de trabalho e frequÃncia da distribuiÃÃo do tempo de trabalho entre os carpinteiros entrevistados; influÃncia e origem do aprendizado e ausÃncia de enquadramento funcional destes jà que nÃo se aposentam como construtores artesanais. Resultados importantes foram obtidos sobre o perfil do carpinteiro artesanal cearense, considerados importantes para a manutenÃÃo da tradiÃÃo cultural de suas tÃcnicas aplicadas à construÃÃo de embarcaÃÃes a vela, e que compÃem o patrimÃnio histÃrico e socioeconÃmico do estado. CAPITULO 2 â A construÃÃo dos diferentes tipos de embarcaÃÃes a vela do litoral do estado do Cearà As embarcaÃÃes a vela sÃo usadas na pesca desde a Idade MÃdia e foram introduzidas no Brasil no inÃcio do descobrimento. No CearÃ, a frota veleira à constituÃda por jangadas, paquetes, canoas e botes, e este estudo objetivou descrever os aspectos e processo construtivos destas embarcaÃÃes, e verificar a existÃncia de diferenciaÃÃo entre localidades quanto aos custos, tempo de construÃÃo, materiais, ferramentas manuais, posicionamento dos mastros com os tipos e tamanhos de vela e elaboraÃÃo de planos de linhas. A metodologia constou de levantamentos de dados in loco, no perÃodo de maio 2010 a dezembro de 2012, com entrevistas com 36 carpinteiros artesanais em 25 localidades de praia de dezoito municÃpios, e aplicaÃÃo de questionÃrios e registros por gravaÃÃo, fotografia e filmagem. O mÃtodo construtivo adotado pelos construtores à o do âesqueleto primeiroâ, ao qual os diversos componentes sÃo acrescentados. O principio para a construÃÃo dos botes triÃngulo e bastardo à o mesmo adotado por toda a forÃa de trabalho, que sÃo idÃnticos no aspecto construtivo e de estrutura de casco, diferem no tipo de mastro e vela, tendo o bastardo um mastro fixo com vela latina bastarda e o bote triÃngulo vela latina triangular. Os custos de construÃÃo variam em ordem decrescente para botes, jangadas, canoas e paquetes, determinados pelo comprimento da embarcaÃÃo e tipo de madeira. Pontualmente, registrou-se em Bitupità a existÃncia da vela quadrangular latina, denominada de âvela quatro punhosâ, envergada em mastro bastardo nas canoas de curral. CAPITULO 3 â A navegaÃÃo praticada por mestres marcadores nas embarcaÃÃes a vela no estado do Cearà A orientaÃÃo praticada a bordo de embarcaÃÃes veleiras para navegaÃÃo e pesca utiliza referÃncias de terra para compor as linhas de posiÃÃo denominadas caminho e assento que, ao se cruzarem, determinam o local desejado. Esta atividade vem acontecendo desde a existÃncia da jangada de piÃba e se perpetua por transmissÃo entre geraÃÃes. O estudo foi desenvolvido com mestres marcadores de trÃs localidades, Baleia, Fortaleza e Redonda, onde predominam canoas, jangadas e botes, respectivamente. A prÃtica desta modalidade de navegaÃÃo à idÃntica para os diferentes tipos de embarcaÃÃo e diferem pouco entre as localidades estudadas. O exercÃcio da orientaÃÃo exige que o mestre marcador tenha boa visÃo e memÃria para encontrar caminho e assento, alÃm de sofrer restriÃÃes na ausÃncia da luz solar. Essa atividade à iniciada pelos marcadores ainda na juventude, e esses conhecimentos sÃo adquiridos independentes do grau de instruÃÃo e se consolidam tanto pelo exercÃcio da pesca quando pela experiÃncia adquirida. A observaÃÃo de estrelas e planetas revela a direÃÃo do caminho de volta ao porto de origem tendo a estrela do porto vÃrias denominaÃÃes no litoral cearense. A falta de visibilidade do litoral, ocasionada por chuva, cerraÃÃo ou outros fatores, interfere negativamente na identificaÃÃo de pontos de referÃncia existentes no litoral. A marcaÃÃo terrestre vem sendo gradativamente substituÃda pelo uso do GPS na localizaÃÃo dos pesqueiros mais produtivos, com grande aceitaÃÃo pelos mais jovens. O baixo preÃo e eficiÃncia comprovada desse equipamento tÃm justificado sua difusÃo ao longo de todo o litoral do CearÃ. CAPITULO 4 â EmbarcaÃÃes a vela do litoral do estado do CearÃ, distribuiÃÃo espacial da frota e da produÃÃo pesqueira O Cearà possui 573 km de litoral, distribuÃdo por 20 municÃpios costeiros e conta com 113 localidades de pesca estuarina e marinha. Este estudo se baseia nos seguintes dados estatÃsticos do Programa ESTATPESCA a- composiÃÃo da frota por tipo de barco e municÃpio; b- produÃÃo de pescado por tipo de barco e municÃpio; c- produÃÃo das principais espÃcies de peixe por tipo de embarcaÃÃo. Foi feita a descriÃÃo das caracterÃsticas das embarcaÃÃes a vela do Cearà de uma forma mais detalhada que as dividiu em jangadas ocada e de isopor; paquetes ocado e de isopor; canoa de Paracuru; canoa de Moitas-Baleia; canoa de Camocim (bianas); Canoa de Acarau-PreÃ-BitupitÃ; canoas de currais de BitupitÃ; canoa-paquete de Fleixeiras-Guagiru e botes triangulo e bastardo. Os resultados mostram que os paquetes sÃo maioria numÃrica e com maior distribuiÃÃo geogrÃfica, destacam-se pela versatilidade, por serem leves para encalhe e movimentaÃÃo na faixa de praia, pela necessidade de pequena tripulaÃÃo e baixo custo de construÃÃo e manutenÃÃo. Os botes tÃm a menor abrangÃncia territorial, com o bastardo bem concentrados em Camocim e o triÃngulo com maior concentraÃÃo em IcapuÃ. A canoa tem predominÃncia exclusiva no litoral oeste e a jangada, no litoral leste. Em termos relativos, as embarcaÃÃes participaram da captura nas seguintes proporÃÃes: canoas = 45,3 %; paquete = 22,3 %; botes = 22,4%, destacando-se os municÃpios de Camocim, Itarema, Icapuà e AcaraÃ. Estes tÃm produÃÃo mais seleta, capturando espÃcies de maior valor comercial, a saber guaiÃba, cavala, pargo, sirigado, carapitanga e dourado. As jangadas vÃm perdendo importÃncia relativa na captura do pescado, mas ainda com destaque para os municÃpios de Fortaleza, Aquiraz, Beberibe Cascavel e Aracati. / CHAPTER 1 â Profile of the artisanal carpenters of sail crafts in Cearà State In a worldwide scenario, during the XV Century, the naval building of sail craft underwent an evolutionary development that enabled the undertaking of long-length voyages across the oceans. By arriving at Brazil, an intensive interaction process between local sail boat construction and that of European-derived knowledge. The sail rafts, at first built without sail, were deployed over the whole Brazilian northeast, mainly in Cearà State, as artisanal crafts, evolving from simple dugouts to the actual wooden ones as well as canoes and rowboats. For this research work, the Cearà Stateâs coast was surveyed from September, 2010 to May, 2012, taking in situ stock of all types of constructed crafts, and pinpointing and interviewing artisanal builders of sailboats, who are than main target population of this survey. To this aim, 36 accomplished carpenters, locally recognized as such, were required to answer a number of questionnaires directed toward a full appraisal of the artisanal naval builders, its professional profile and handicraft, for which photographic records, pictures and sound recordings were obtained. The derived data were transferred to electronic spreadsheets and then analyzed by crosschecking the recorded interviews and the movie pictures. This survey led to the following results: occurrence of low reading ability by the artisanal carpenters so that 44 per cent were found to be illiterate; non-existence of any kind of professional registration by the competent public offices; mean age of 22.1 years; high mean working time and frequency of distribution among the sampled population; factors of influence and origin of learning techniques and absence of functional framing, since they to do not retire as naval builders. Significant results were got as to the artisanal carpentersâs profile in Cearà State, which were deemed quite relevant for the maintenance of the folklore of their techniques applied to the construction of sail crafts, and round up the historic and socioeconomic heritage of the Cearà Stateâs coastline . CHAPTER 2 â Construction of different types of sail craft along Cearà Stateâs coastline The sailboats are used in fisheries since the middle ages and were introduced in Brazil at the beginning of its discovery. The Cearà Stateâs fleet is made up of rafts, canoes and boats whose study was meant for describing aspects of the building process and for ascertaining the existence of differentiation among fishing communities as to costs, construction time, basic materials, hand tools and positioning of masts according to boat size, sail types and setting of lining patterns. The methodology consisted of data surveys carried out locally, in the period from May, 2010 through December, 2012, by means of interviews with 36 artisanal carpenters in 25 fishing sites of 18 costal counties, by applying questionnaires and data gathering by recording, photography and movie pictures. The constructive technique consists of mounting a âprimary skeletonâ to which all other component parts are attached. The building principle of the triangle and bastard boats is the same as adopted by the whole of the labor force, which are identical as to their constructive pattern and hull framework, but differ as to the types of masts ands sails, namely the bastard one having a fixed mast and a storm jib, and the triangle one having a triangular storm jib. The construction costs vary in a decreasing order for boats, rafts and canoes, as determined by the craft length and kind of timber. Somewhat exceptionally there was identified in BitupitÃ, Barroquinha county, the existence of a square storm jib named âfour-fist sailâ, bent up as a bastard mast in the fish-weir canoes. CHAPTER 3 â The navigation practiced by master position markers on board sail boats in Cearà State The orientation carried out on board sailboats for navigation and fishing makes use of landmarks in order to compose the position lines named pathway and outpost that, while intercrossing, determine the sought after site. This activity has been taking place since the very early existence of the sail raft and it endures itself from generation to generation. This study was undertaken by master markers in some fishing localities, namely Baleia, Fortaleza and Redonda where canoes, sail rafts and boats are respectively predominant. The practice of this kind of navigation is similar for the various types of boats and diverges from one another very little among the studied landing points. The exercise of orientation requires that the master marker has got good eyesight and memory in order to find out the pathway and the outpost, besides undergoing setbacks from the absence of sunlight. That activity is started when the fisherman is still young, and his long-lived expertise is acquired independently of the educational degree as it is derived from both the fishing chores and the accumulated experience. The observation of stars and planets reveals the way back to the home port whose identifying star receives many nominations along Cearà Stateâs coastline. The lack of visibility brought about by rain, clouding, and other factors meddle with the identification of conspicuous landmarks. This age- old technique has been gradually replaced by the use of GPS devices for pinpointing the most productive fishing grounds, with a high degree of acceptance by the young generation. The low purchase price and the proved efficiency of that equipment has accounted for the diffusion of their advantages among the fishing communities of Cearà State. CHAPTER 4 â Sail crafts in Cearà Stateâs coastline: fleet and fishing production spatial distribution The Cearà Stateâs coastline spreads over 573 km distributed by 20 coastal counties, and 113 estuarine and marine fishing communities. This study is based on the following statistical data gathered through the ESTATPESCA Program: fleet composition by types of boat and county; fish production by type of boat and county; catch composition of the main fish species by type of boat. A detailed description of the sailboats in Cearà was presented in order to provide information on a number of variants of their main types, namely hollow raft, styrofoam-fulled rafts, canoe from Paracuru, canoe from Moitas-Baleia; canoe from Camocim; canoe from AcaraÃ-PreÃ-BitupitÃ; canoe from Bitupità fish-weirs, canoe-raft from Fleixeiras-Guagiru, triangle boat and bastard boat. The results show the small raft holds a numeric majority and a wider geographic distribution, standing out by being lighter to anchor on the beach sand, requiring fewer crew, and entailing lower construction and maintenance costs. The boats show a narrower territorial range, with the bastard ones being concentrated in Camocim county and the triangle ones more frequent in Icapuà county. The canoe and the large-sized raft hold an outstanding predominance on the western and the eastern sides of Cearà Stateâs coastline, respectively. In relative terms, the main types of fishing craft took part in the caches according to the following proportions: canoes = 45.3 per cent; small raft = 22.3 per cent; boats = 22.4 per cent. Among their home counties stand out Camocim, Itarema, Icapuà and AcaraÃ, the ones that boast a more exclusive fish production made out of such species as yellowtail snapper, king mackerel, Caribbean red snapper, black grouper, dog snapper and dolphin. The large-sized rafts have shown of late a tendency for playing a lesser part in fish catching, but they are still relevant in such Cearà Stateâs counties as Fortaleza, Aquiraz, Beberibe Cascavel and Aracati.