368
14.1 Presentation
Commonly known as the Atlantic Goliath Grouper, Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein
1822) is a marine fish in the family Epinephelidae. Because of slow growth, late
maturity, large adult size (up to 2 m long and weighing 400 kg), and shallow coastal
habitats, the species is highly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, such as fishing
and activities the cause habitat loss and reduced water quality. This endangered species (IUCN) is at risk of being lost from Brazilian waters.
Atlantic Goliath Grouper, Epinephelus itajara, occur in tropical and subtropical
waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They live in estuarine and coastal areas, including
mangroves, coral reefs, rocky shores, submerged rocks, and artificial structures,
such as shipwrecks and piers. Epinephelus itajara feed on crustaceans and fish, such
as stingrays and catfish, and sometimes even young turtles. Besides their large size,
they are considered gentle, allowing close contact with divers.
Epinephelus itajara can live up to 40 years and they become reproductively
mature at seven years old, and just over one meter in total length. They form spawning aggregations in specific times and places. However, researchers have shown that
spawning aggregations have disappeared from many traditional sites, but the scale
of illegal fishing activities on Goliath Grouper populations in Brazilian waters is
still unknown.
Concern about declining Goliath Grouper populations throughout the Atlantic
and Caribbean has induced many researchers to focus on the conservation of this
species which is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (Craig 2011). The species has been protected since 1990 in
the southeastern United States. In Brazil the capture of Goliath Grouper has been
prohibited since 2002 by IBAMA Ordinance No. 121/2002. Through this instrument, Goliath Grouper has become the first marine fish to have a specific law establishing the prohibition of its capture, transportation, and commerce for a period of 5
years. In 2007, Ordinance No. 42/2007 from IBAMA was prolonged for 5
more years.
In 2012, combined efforts from Projeto Meros do Brasil (“Brazilian Atlantic
Goliath Grouper Project”) research and the Ministry of Environment (through the
ICMBio) generated subsidies for a new renovation for 3 more years, prioritizing the
development of more comprehensive studies, and to give time for the population
L.S. Bueno
Instituto Meros do Brasil, 67 Benjamin Constant St, Curitiba, PR 80060-020, Brazil
Instituto COMAR – Conservação Marinha do Brasil,
104 Helena Degelmann St, Joinville, SC 89218-580, Brazil
C.C. Koenig
The Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory,
3618 Coastal Highway, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA
M. Hostim-Silva et al.
14.1 Presentation
Commonly known as the Atlantic Goliath Grouper, Epinephelus itajara (Lichtenstein
1822) is a marine fish in the family Epinephelidae. Because of slow growth, late
maturity, large adult size (up to 2 m long and weighing 400 kg), and shallow coastal
habitats, the species is highly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, such as fishing
and activities the cause habitat loss and reduced water quality. This endangered species (IUCN) is at risk of being lost from Brazilian waters.
Atlantic Goliath Grouper, Epinephelus itajara, occur in tropical and subtropical
waters of the Atlantic Ocean. They live in estuarine and coastal areas, including
mangroves, coral reefs, rocky shores, submerged rocks, and artificial structures,
such as shipwrecks and piers. Epinephelus itajara feed on crustaceans and fish, such
as stingrays and catfish, and sometimes even young turtles. Besides their large size,
they are considered gentle, allowing close contact with divers.
Epinephelus itajara can live up to 40 years and they become reproductively
mature at seven years old, and just over one meter in total length. They form spawning aggregations in specific times and places. However, researchers have shown that
spawning aggregations have disappeared from many traditional sites, but the scale
of illegal fishing activities on Goliath Grouper populations in Brazilian waters is
still unknown.
Concern about declining Goliath Grouper populations throughout the Atlantic
and Caribbean has induced many researchers to focus on the conservation of this
species which is classified as critically endangered by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (Craig 2011). The species has been protected since 1990 in
the southeastern United States. In Brazil the capture of Goliath Grouper has been
prohibited since 2002 by IBAMA Ordinance No. 121/2002. Through this instrument, Goliath Grouper has become the first marine fish to have a specific law establishing the prohibition of its capture, transportation, and commerce for a period of 5
years. In 2007, Ordinance No. 42/2007 from IBAMA was prolonged for 5
more years.
In 2012, combined efforts from Projeto Meros do Brasil (“Brazilian Atlantic
Goliath Grouper Project”) research and the Ministry of Environment (through the
ICMBio) generated subsidies for a new renovation for 3 more years, prioritizing the
development of more comprehensive studies, and to give time for the population
L.S. Bueno
Instituto Meros do Brasil, 67 Benjamin Constant St, Curitiba, PR 80060-020, Brazil
Instituto COMAR – Conservação Marinha do Brasil,
104 Helena Degelmann St, Joinville, SC 89218-580, Brazil
C.C. Koenig
The Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory,
3618 Coastal Highway, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA
M. Hostim-Silva et al.