The distribution and occurrence of the marine manatee (Trichechus manatus) in the estuary of the Mamanguape River, Paraíba, Brazil

Although the existing historical records of marine manatees in the Brazilian coast since the 17th century, few studies about this species were conducted in Brazil. Among them, the estuary of the Mamanguape River is told to be the main place of this species concentration in the northeastern coast of Brazil, but this one is suffering oppression due to the improvement of human activities which can compromise the ecosystem as a whole. In this way, this work viewed to obtain information about the marine manatee′s ecology and behavior in the estuary of the Mamanguape River, establishing seasonal modifications in its emergence, checking preferable places of occupation and detecting possible human activities which interfere in its biological cycle. With this purpose, it was developed one program for marine manatee groups in the region of Bar of Mamanguape and adjacent, by direct observation and interviews with fishers from 1988 to 1991. During the studies period, 608 monitoring visits were made to Bar of Mamanguape, totalizing 285 watching of isolated or grouped manatees and 2.185 hours of observation in fixed places. The major number of sightings happened from October to May, when the animals were seen more regularly and frequently in groups. From June to September, the animals went to that region sporadically and almost always alone. The biggest group observed was one formed by nine animals and the biggest one of registered animals at the same time was by 11 manatees. It was detected that the human activities which produce many noises in the water interfere with the animals′ behavior, scaring and dispersing the groups. Purse seines, drift and gill nets, used in the region, when closer to the groups, besides scaring away the animals, can be damaged due to the possible collisions with the marine manatees. Already the more resistant gill nets (ca oás) imply extreme danger, because can flog the animals and get them to death. It is concluded that the region of the Bar of Mamanguape is of paramount importance for the maintenance of the reproductive cycle of the marine manatee, because it is one of their most concentration in the Northeast of Brazil. Creating restrictive zones within the Area of Environmental Preservation (AEP) of the Bar of Mamanguape and ranking human activities are essential for the preservation of this species.