Local ecological knowledge (LEK) concerning snook fishers on estuarine waters: Insights into scientific knowledge and fisheries management

In addition to scientific knowledge, Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) can be useful for fishery management. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge of practitioners of snook fishing - recreational anglers and commercial fishers, in addition to fishing guides, about snooks Centropomus spp and its habitat. Semi-structured interviews were applied and results were analyzed using WebQDA and R statistical softwares to evaluate the prevalence of responses and multiple correlations. The interviewees were able to morphologically differentiate snook species and describe aspects of food behavior, habitat, migration and reproduction. Part of this knowledge was similar to what is reported in the scientific literature. LEK was evident in commercial fishers and fishing guides when compared to recreational anglers probably due to more extensive experience in the fishing activity. Through the interviewees' discourse, future scientific research demands were identified, such as understanding the factors that influence the growth of both species, migration between marine and brackish environments and the area of reproduction. This study demonstrated the advantages of using LEK to improve and promote adequate fisheries management.