This study presents an updated list of cetacean occurrences in the State of Ceará, Brazil including data on the geographical distribution of species, a description of the strands of the species of lower occurrence, as well as the interaction of small cetaceans of higher occurrence, along with fishing activities on the coast of the State of Ceará. The data were obtained through sightings at sea, identification of whole stranded animals or osteological material, interviews with fishermen from various coastal communities of the state, and surveys in museum collections and photographic archives of local newspapers. Between January 1992 and June 1996, 83 animals belonging to 10 species were recorded: Sotalia fluviatilis (45); Physeter macrocephalus (13); Steno bredanensis (12); Tursiops truncatus (4); Globicephala macrorhynchus (2); Peponocephala electra (2); Stenella frontalis (2); Stenella clymene (1); Kogia simus (1); and Ziphius cavirostris (1). The species found in a high degree of decomposition were identified through cranial measurements Relevant. The mortality of small cetaceans in fishing nets indicates the vulnerability of these animals to the fishing gear used by artisanal fishermen in Ceará, suggesting the need for the implementation of research programs and environmental education campaigns to minimize the problem.