Illegal catches were confiscated during enforcement raids (22.4 tons, approximately 314 specimens) occurred in ten states between 2004 and 2013 (Fig. 2G). Raids were led by the Brazilian Institute for Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (n = 11), the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio; n = 6), by state inspection agencies (n = 6) and by the Federal Police (n = 2). Higher frequencies occurred in Pará (34% of cases and 86% of specimens), in which six events were characterized by catches larger than 15 large fishes. From total of confiscated fish, 90% had between 50 and 100 kg, caught by bottom longline, spearfishing and line and hook gears.
Discussion
Our results revealed that there was an average reduction of 70% in goliath grouper catches in Brazil after moratorium establishment in 2002. However, annual catches kept an average of 393 tons and show no tendencies of expected declines in the last six years. It is mostly possible that the observed decrease in landings after 2002 does not reflect a real reduction in catches, it seams that poaching may have gone unreported after moratorium establishment. However this may have varied from state to state as well as compliance and also the general perception of illegality. In fact, it is common that new laws when followed by weak or absent enforcement are not perceived as valid. Studies have reported that goliath grouper is still being captured and marketed illegally in Brazil (e.g. Félix-Hackradt and Hackradt, 2008 and Giglio and Freitas, 2013).