A shot in the dark for conservation: Evidence of illegal commerce in endemic and threatened species of elasmobranch at a public fish market in southern Brazil

Cruz, Vanessa P.; Adachi, Aisni Mayumi Corrêa de Lima; Ribeiro, Giovana da Silva; Oliveira, Pablo H.; Oliveira, Cláudio; Oriano, Rinaldo; Freitas, Renato Hajenius Aché de; Foresti, Fausto

doi:10.1002/aqc.3572

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Although the trade of ray species in Santa Catarina does not occur on a large scale compared to sharks (Almerón-Souza et al 2018;Cruz et al 2021), the present study shows that local consumption is appreciated. Due to the rays coming from bycatch and their sale is mainly restricted by the Brazilian law, they end up being for their own consumption and what they can sell they do.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

Differences and similarities in local ecological knowledge about rays among fishers, residents, and tourists

et al. 2021

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Ray species have been globally threatened due to high fishing pressure and habitat loss. In southern Brazil fisheries, despite many ray species are protected by law and usually non-targeted species, they are captured along with commercially important species. However, as in all of Brazil, there is evidence that rays are consumed, that is, there is a demand for meat from these animals, which intensifies the risk of extinction. Marine ethnobiology is an alternative approach to better understand these organisms, considering the traditional empirical knowledge of fishers and local communities. Our objective is to evaluate the knowledge of local residents, fishers, and tourists about the occurrence, distribution, reproduction, and feeding of ray species and also ray consumption among them. We hypothesized that fishers and locals have a deeper ecological knowledge about rays than tourists, and fishers should know more than residents. Individual interviews were conducted for three consecutive days at Armação beach, Florianópolis, Brazil. We asked people about ray biology and ecology based on questionnaires. Each respondent was categorized into three groups: fishers, locals, and tourists; and ranked according to an index of ecological knowledge of rays. The fishers had greater knowledge about rays, followed by residents and tourists. Additionally, fishers and locals consume rays, even the trade is prohibited locally, evidencing the need for legal enforcement. The fishers' knowledge may be essential for management of fish stocks, contributing to sustainable fishing and species conservation. In contrast, the tourists' lack of knowledge evidences the need to raise awareness of these animals.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 60%

Differences and similarities in local ecological knowledge about rays among fishers, residents, and tourists

et al. 2021

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“…Shark and ray products have also been distributed under mislabeled names such as salmon and croaker (Staffen et al, 2017), while conversely, bony fishes have been frequently sold as elasmobranchs (Almeron-Souza et al, 2018;Calegari et al, 2019;Cruz et al, 2021).…”

Section: Threatened Elasmobranchs In Brazilian Trade: a Call To Actio...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Fifteen years of extensive and inadvertent elasmobranch trade in Brazil detected by DNA tools

Alvarenga,

Bunholi,

Brito

et al. 2023

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The trade of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) in Brazil raises significant concerns due to the country's rich endemic biodiversity. The present study explores the use of DNA-based tools to monitor the Brazilian elasmobranch trade, focusing on their role in identifying processed products and supporting conservation efforts. A systematic search of literature was carried out and included 35 peer-reviewed articles published between 2008 and 2023. We observed a shift in research focus since 2015 from the development of DNA-based tools to direct trade application. Molecular identification challenges, including costly sequencing and limited resources in national databases, were identified along with proposed solutions, such as protocol optimization and exploration of cost-effective alternatives. Biases in trade analysis papers, particularly a lack of research in the Northeast region of Brazil, as well as issues with sample sizes were evident. Species identified using DNA-based tools included the critically endangered Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini), appearing in 46% of the evaluated papers, followed by the Blue Shark (Prionace glauca), and several others threatened species, including the critically endangered endemic Brazilian Guitarfish (Pseudobatos horkelii) and the recently categorized vulnerable Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon porosus). Other species were reassessed, including previously non-threatened species that are now at risk, emphasizing the need for conservation measures. Our findings highlight the importance of continuing genetic monitoring of shark and ray trade in Brazil, calling for conservation efforts and law enforcement to protect elasmobranch populations, and recommending strategies for accurate species identification, expanded research, and effective management.

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“…Since then, continuous efforts have been made to monitor this practice throughout the Brazilian territory. Through DNA barcoding, the labeling of threatened elasmobranchs as cação (i.e., the common name used in Brazil to describe any commercially caught shark and, in some cases, rays) or other related terms have been identified in southern (Staffen et al 2017; Almerón‐Souza et al 2018; Bernardo et al 2020; Cruz et al 2021), northeastern (Feitosa et al 2018; Martins et al 2021), and northern (Palmeira et al 2013) Brazil. Furthermore, the sale of teleost fish with lesser commercial value labeled as cação was also reported, mainly due to the growing domestic demand for elasmobranch products (Calegari et al 2019).…”

Section: Fish Mislabeling: a Global Issuementioning

confidence: 99%

Unveiling the Threats Beneath: Fish Mislabeling in the Brazilian Amazon Coast and its Impacts on the Critically Endangered Daggernose Shark

et al. 2023

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Fish mislabeling is a global issue with far‐reaching consequences for both food security and biodiversity conservation. This practice involves the intentional or unintentional misidentification of fish species sold in markets and restaurants, often driven by economic gain or cultural preferences. The mislabeling of threatened fish species further exacerbates the problem. This manuscript focuses on an emerging mislabeling practice in the Brazilian Amazon coast, which impacts a critically endangered elasmobranch species, the Daggernose Shark Isogomphodon oxyrhynchus. More specifically, the mislabeling of the Atlantic Tripletail Lobotes surinamensis as the Acoupa Weakfish Cynoscion acoupa has led to intensified fishing activities and incidental capture of the Daggernose Shark. Traditional enforcement approaches have shown limited effectiveness, and alternative conservation interventions, including participatory management and education programs for artisanal fishers, are needed to address this complex issue.

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A shot in the dark for conservation: Evidence of illegal commerce in endemic and threatened species of elasmobranch at a public fish market in southern Brazil

Cited by 9 publications

References 66 publications

Differences and similarities in local ecological knowledge about rays among fishers, residents, and tourists

Differences and similarities in local ecological knowledge about rays among fishers, residents, and tourists

Fifteen years of extensive and inadvertent elasmobranch trade in Brazil detected by DNA tools

Unveiling the Threats Beneath: Fish Mislabeling in the Brazilian Amazon Coast and its Impacts on the Critically Endangered Daggernose Shark

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