MATAPI PET: UMA NOVA PROPOSTA PARA A EXPLORAÇÃO SUSTENTÁVEL DO CAMARÃO AMAZÔNICO Macrobrachium amazonicum (Heller, 1862)

The freshwater shrimp Macrobrachium amazonicum is an important food resource for the local Amazon human populations. This study tested the body length selectivity of animals caught by two collapsible minnow-traps (matapi), made of natural fibers and recycled PET bottles. The minimal cephalothorax length of animals caught with the traditional traps was 12 mm ( X±s.d.=29,5± 6,6), and 22 mm ( X±s.d.=30,8± 3,0) for the recycled PET traps. Significant differences were found between average cephalotorax lengths caught by both methods, indicate that the PET traps are actually more selective for larger individuals. This selectivity indicated that this fishing gear facilitated a more economic return to the fishermen.