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SC/68D/SM/13
Resource ID
19598
Access
Open
Document Number
SC/68D/SM/13
Full Title
Genetic and toxicological analyses show that the Brazilian moratorium on the catfish piracatinga (Calophysus macropterus) has been ineffective and its consumption can pose a health risk
Author
da Silva HFG, da Silva VMF, de Souza IS, Picaluga AS, Valdevino GCM, Bisi T, Lailson- Brito J, Cunha HAC
Publisher
IWC
Abstract
The piracatinga (Calophysus macropterus) is a scavenger catfish from the Amazon and Orinoco river basins and its fishery has relied on the intentional killing of river dolphins and caimans for use as bait, mainly in the central Amazon. A previous genetic study revealed that piracatinga were being sold in Brazil as processed fillets labeled with fictitious names to deceive consumers. Due to the unsustainable impact on river dolphin populations, and to the threat to human health posed by the consumption of this mercury-rich species, Brazilian authorities issued on 2015 a 5-year moratorium on the fishing, storage and trade of piracatinga. This study reports the results of genetic and toxicological analyses of fillets labeled as surubim, dourada, piramutaba, mapar? and piranambu, purchased in supermarkets, apprehended in fish processing plants or offered as meal in a public school during the moratorium (2017-2018; N = 133). Nearly half (47%) of the samples were genetically identified as C. macropterus, with 89% of fillets from supermarkets belonging to this species. Mislabeling involving this and other species was revealed in 100% of fillets from supermarkets. Total mercury concentration in C. macropterus fillets were above the safe limit for predatory fish set by FAO (1.0 mg. kg-1) in 44% of the fillets, ranging from 0.27 to 1.92 mg. kg-1. Our results revealed that despite the moratorium, the piracatinga continued to be fished and commercialized, and consequently it was not as effective as needed to reduce the impact of the illegal fishery over dolphin and cayman populations. Additionally, the inadvertent consumption of piracatinga is a health risk for humans, who may become intoxicated even with small weekly uptakes of this fish.