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From March 1994 to May 1998, in the area between 2°N and 14°S, and from 28°W to 41°W, 1652 Exocoetidae were collected by research vessels and artisanal fishery boats, as part of the REVIZEE Project (Brazilian Economic Exclusive Zone Assessment Program). Eleven species were identified: Cypselurus comatus, C. cyanopterus, C. exiliens, C. heterurus, C. melanurus, Exocoetus volitans, Hirundichthys affinis, H. speculiger, Oxyporhamphus micropterus similis, Parexocoetus brachypterus and Prognichthys gibbifrons. The species C. cyanopterus and H. affinis are abundant in the region, the former in the Archipelago of São Pedro e São Paulo, used as tuna bait and the latter is the main product of the artisanal fishery in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. As a potential resource and an important part of the epipelagic food chain, they were considered target species in the scope of REVIZEE Project. |
