FISHERY BIOLOGY ON PELAGIC STINGRAY PTEROPLATYTRYGON VIOLACEA CAUGHT OFF SOUTHERN BRAZIL BY LONGLINERS SETTLED IN SAO PAULO STATE (2006-2007)

The pelagic stingray (Pteroplatytrygon violacea) is cosmopolitan and it is usually caught by Sao Paulo longliners as bycatch. The species is considered Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. From August to September 2006 and January to September 2007, 157 specimens (77% male and 23% female) were received from the mentioned fleet that operates off Southern Brazil. A total of 157 stomachs were analyzed. From that total, 99 stomachs were empty and 58 presented some content. Mollusca was the most common group, with predominance of Loligo sp. Actinopterygii was present in 19% and Crustacea in 17% of stomach contents. The male matures from 43.5 cm DW and 10.4 cm CL, and female from 46 cm DW on. According to Gonadosomatic Index, the females were larger in January, and it could indicate that they were near birth period. Two females were caught with embryos in different developing stages, in January 1992 and in April 2002. Females were most frequently caught near the surface and the males in deeper water. New areas of occurrence were registered. This paper aims to study the biological aspects of the P. violacea as a contribution for its conservation.