The artisanal fishery fleet of Rapôsa, Brazil, (lat: 2° 24' S; long: 44° 04' W) was surveyed from November 1987 to August 1988. This is the principal fishing community on the coast of Maranhão with 194 boats representing the potential fishing effort and 27 others engaged in transport activities. This fleet may be classified according to its length hull and propulsion characteristics. Four strata were defined in this fleet: 1 - Canoes with open "biana" hull and "bianas" sailing rig; 2 - Canoes with open "biana" hull and "curicaca" sailing rig; 3 - Flush decked "biana" and motor powered boats with less than 40 HP; and 4 - Motor powered boats with more than 40 HP. The hull length and the net length are suggested as fishing power measures for the evaluation of fish resources exploited by the Raposa fleet, particularly: Scomberomorve brasiliensis, Macrodon ancylodon and Cynoscion acoupa.