1. Sites and periods of spawning aggregations of two important fishery resources, the mutton snapper, Lutjanus analis, and the dog snapper, Lutjanus jocu, were identified and validated along the Brazilian north-east coast (latitude 8–15°S) using exploratory analysis of catch per unit effort (CPUE) data, gonadosomatic index analysis, and gonad histology.
2. The CPUE analysis for both species allowed the identification of outliers and far outliers, representing fisheries with exceptional catches, which were used as proxies of possible aggregation.
3. The presence of pre-spawning and recent spawning signs (hydrated oocytes and post-ovulatory follicles) in the ovary of females caught at sites with recurrent records of high CPUE allowed the validation of spawning activity at those specific sites for each species. All aggregation sites identified in this study were located on the outer shelf, close to the shelf break, a region that has been declared an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Area.
4. Comparison of two subregions showed significant differences in size structure of the fish sampled during landings, suggesting a fishing depletion effect in the north region.
5. For both species, reproduction peaked twice in all regions studied, with a more marked peak during summer. However, spawning activity was observed in almost every month of the year, suggesting that seasonal closures could be more effective if combined with spatial measures.
6. In the northern part of the study range, spawning grounds were found to lie just outside the boundaries of one of Brazil's largest marine protected areas. Inclusion of those grounds in the marine protected area would increase protection of these species and also mean increased protection of an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Marine Area, encompassing mesophotic reefs.
7. The identification of these spawning aggregations sites on the north-east coast of Brazil was conducted in collaboration with local fishers that traditionally use bottom handline. Co-management approaches are suggested in view of the importance of these fishing sites for traditional fishing communities that may also face threats due to encroachment of mobile fleets.

中文翻译：

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西南大西洋羊肉鲷鱼和狗鲷鱼产卵聚集的时空分布

1. 使用探索性分析沿巴西东北海岸（南纬 8-15°）确定并验证了两种重要渔业资源（羊肉鲷鱼Lutjanus analis和狗鲷鱼Lutjanus jocu ）的产卵聚集地和时期单位努力捕获量 (CPUE) 数据、性腺指数分析和性腺组织学。
2. 这两个物种的 CPUE 分析允许识别异常值和远异常值，代表具有特殊捕获量的渔业，它们被用作可能聚集的代理。
3. 在反复记录高 CPUE 的地点捕获的雌性卵巢中存在产卵前和近期产卵迹象（水合卵母细胞和排卵后卵泡），可以验证每个物种在这些特定地点的产卵活动。本研究中确定的所有聚集点都位于外陆架上，靠近陆架断裂处，该区域已被宣布为具有生态和生物意义的海洋区域。
4. 两个子区域的比较显示，上岸期间采样的鱼的大小结构存在显着差异，表明北部地区存在捕捞枯竭效应。
5. 对于这两个物种，在所有研究区域中，繁殖高峰出现了两次，夏季高峰期更为明显。然而，几乎在一年中的每个月都观察到产卵活动，这表明如果结合空间措施，季节性关闭可能会更有效。
6. 在研究范围的北部，发现产卵场就在巴西最大的海洋保护区之一的边界之外。将这些土地纳入海洋保护区将加强对这些物种的保护，也意味着加强对生态和生物重要海洋区域的保护，包括中光珊瑚礁。
7. 与传统上使用底线的当地渔民合作，确定了巴西东北海岸的这些产卵聚集地。鉴于这些捕捞地点对传统捕捞社区的重要性，这些捕捞地点也可能因移动船队的侵占而面临威胁，因此建议采用共同管理方法。