atlantic goliath grouper: a brazilian in distress | bioaquaria
DESCRIPTION
Atlantic goliath grouper, itajara, bodete, badejão or whiting white. Many are the names used to identify Epinephelus itajara, which in local language means "Lord of the stones." The species was first described in 1822 by the German naturalist researcher Martin Heinrich Carl Lichtenstein, providing a brilliant analogy to one of the main habitats used by one of the greatest groupers representatives (Family Epinephelidae) in the Atlantic Ocean. http://www.bioaquaria.com/?p=7000TRANSCRIPT
10/21/13 7:33 PMAtlantic goliath grouper: a Brazilian in distress | bioaquaria
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Atlantic goliath grouper: aBrazilian in distress
By Áthila Bertoncini and Maíra Borgonha | on June 28, 2013 | 0 Comment
Atlantic goliath grouper, itajara, bodete, badejão or whiting white. Many
are the names used to identify Epinephelus itajara, which in local
language means "Lord of the stones." The species was first described in
1822 by the German naturalist researcher Martin Heinrich Carl
Lichtenstein, providing a brilliant analogy to one of the main habitats
used by one of the greatest groupers representatives (Family
Epinephelidae) in the Atlantic Ocean.
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10/21/13 7:33 PMAtlantic goliath grouper: a Brazilian in distress | bioaquaria
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Featuring photo (above): © Áthila Bertoncini
Out of curiosity, Brazilian grouper differs from the Portuguese one, indeed! In
Portugal the species is Epinephelus marginatus, the dusky grouper, known as the
“real” grouper in Brazil.
Today, the Brazilian grouper has a somewhat sad path designed to survival
against human action, but that has been gradually changing with some signs of
improvement.
© Áthila Bertoncini
Giant King
Lonely and docile, the Atlantic goliath grouper has a wide geographical
distribution [Atlantic, from North Carolina (USA) - Caribbean - to Santa Catarina
in southern Brazil, and the African coast from Senegal to Congo], inhabits a wide
diversity of environments, including both rocky shores of subtropical waters to
tropical reefs, estuaries and mangroves. In fact, it is in mangroves that they
spend much of their early lives, finding shelter and plenty of food.
Known for their large size, they may reach 2.5 meters in length, weigh 450 kg
and live for around 40 years. They are carnivorous that feed on crustaceans
(lobsters), fish (catfish and rays), and even young turtles.
Like many grouper species, they form large shoals in order to reproduce. At one
time of the year, subject to lunar cycle, numerous groupers meet, usually along
the natural or even artificial reefs, like offshore wrecks, to launch their gametes
that, after transforming into larvae, travel with ocean currents to the species
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nursery habitats near coast.
The set of biological characteristics that involve their slow but significant growth
and their aggregations for reproductive purposes, although making them
extremely vulnerable to capture, also provide a unique spectacle when we dive
with them.
© Áthila Bertoncini
From trophy to conservation symbol
Not always the diving with these fishes was merely considered a contemplative
experience. Historically, they have been captured as magnificent and valuable
trophies. Reports and stories of amazing fish that demanded colossal efforts to
be captured, and then brought to light are well known and were often repeated
along the Brazilian coast.
But the days when these groupers were displayed as large fishery awards are in
the past. Over the last decades the Atlantic goliath grouper population in Brazil
was dramatically reduced by both sport and commercial fishing. Considered
critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) since 2002, the Atlantic goliath grouper is a protected species in Brazil,
but still at risk because the moratorium extends only until 2015!
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Photos from the gallery above: © Áthila Bertoncini (#01 to #14) and © Maíra Borgonha
(#15)
Atlantic goliath grouper in Brasil
In 2002, the first actions of the Project "Meros do Brazil" were initiated, which in
2006 gained strength, expanding its activities through a network of conservation
involving several institutions, with the grouper as a flag to achieve a larger goal:
the Conservation of Coastal and Marine Environment of Brazil. Today, Project
"Meros do Brazil" is sponsored by Petrobras Environmental Program. The
Project operates in seven Brazilian states and their actions for Research and
Conservation aim to obtain information to support species management.
How to protect the Atlantic goliath grouper
Experienced divers and fishermen have borrowed their stories in favour of a
Conservation flagship
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tanktank water circulationwater circulation
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new future for this species. In a diverse
dialogue of knowledge, project researchers
have used technology and information as a
strategy for their conservation.
One of the highlighted initiatives is the
photo-identification project which aims to
obtain information from labelling/recapture
techniques with the creation of an images
database on behaviour and colour and
movement patterns. Despite scarce in natural environments, this species is
incredibly attracted to structures such as shipwrecks, artificial reefs and piers.
The initiative main idea is to raise awareness in society that the Atlantic goliath
grouper is more valuable alive than dead, manly its great contemplative diving
potential.
© Jonas Leite
In addition, important aquaculture field research began in 2012. Research on
their reproduction is unprecedented in the world. According to Dr. Eduardo
Gomes Sanches, Project Serranids coordinator: "Currently the Fisheries Institute
in São Paulo is the only institution in Brazil maintaining a serranids semen bank,
contributing for this important species preservation to future generations.”
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© Maíra Borgonha
© Jonas Leite
"The efforts include their
captivity maintenance,
fish genetic variability
evaluation studies, a
sperm bank and juveniles
ambitiously obtained
and produced in
captivity, as has already
been done with the dusky
grouper" declares MSc.
Jonas Rodrigues Leite,
Meros do Brazil project
consultant.
Through joint efforts of a
national conservation
network, various
research and educational
institutions, associations
and diving entities have
joined forces to promote
marine conservation through the Atlantic goliath grouper symbolic figure. Best
of luck to us all!
Know more
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Tags: Atlantic goliathAtlantic goliath Brazilian grouperBrazilian grouper conservationconservation
EpinephelidaeEpinephelidae EpinephelusEpinephelus Epinephelus itajaraEpinephelus itajara groupersgroupers
itajaraitajara IUCNIUCN merosmeros Meros do BrasilMeros do Brasil SerranidaeSerranidae
Author Description
Oceanographers, Áthila and Maíra work towards marine conservation through
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the study of fish bio-ecology and fishermen local ecological knowledge. To
develop their researches, they dive and are experts in underwater photography.
Emails: [email protected]; [email protected]
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