A coastal community in Brazil's Ilha Grande bay has initiated conservation efforts for sharks after scientists identified a local cove as a crucial nursery for pregnant blacktip sharks. The discovery has begun to change the community's long-held practice of viewing these marine animals as a food source.
Recent studies indicate that Brazil is a significant consumer of shark meat, yet sharks globally are among the most threatened vertebrate groups. Overfishing, habitat degradation, and climate change put more than a third of shark species at risk of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Brazil's extensive coastline supports diverse shark species and critical habitats, making their protection a key component of global ocean conservation.
The Piraquara de Fora cove's identification as a nursery is central to these protection efforts, according to experts involved with the Brazilian Institute for Nature Conservation's Sharks of Ilha Grande Bay project. Marlene Fernanda do Nascimento Martins, a 35-year-old community leader, noted the shift in perspective. "We used to fish and eat them," she said. "Conservationists explained that we shouldn’t do that anymore because of the animals themselves and the need to protect them."
Sharks reproduce at a slower rate and with fewer offspring than many bony fish, making them particularly vulnerable. Leonardo Mitrano Neves, head of the project's scientific branch, emphasized the importance of these breeding areas for the survival of species throughout the Atlantic ecoregion.
Project teams are using monitoring equipment with cameras and bait to attract sharks in the cove. Drone imagery and submerged footage are analyzed to gather data that will support advocacy for enhanced conservation measures. While blacktip sharks are common in the area, the project also focuses on sand tiger and hammerhead sharks.
To foster broader understanding, the initiative includes plans for environmental education in local schools, aiming to integrate sharks into the region's natural heritage. Communication materials are designed to inform the public that sharks in the area do not pose a threat to humans, and no shark-related incidents have been reported locally.
Brazil has a ban on targeted shark fishing. However, sharks not designated as threatened species can still be caught incidentally as bycatch and landed. Threatened species are protected from capture and commercialization and must be released if caught. The imprecision in identifying shark meat, often sold under the generic term "cação," complicates enforcement.
José Truda Palazzo, the project's coordinator in Ilha Grande bay, stated that efforts to discourage shark consumption are showing results. Project representatives have informed local populations about the sharks' ecological importance and the potential health risks associated with eating shark meat. Research suggests that as apex predators, sharks can accumulate high levels of heavy metals like arsenic, mercury, and lead. A 2024 study also detected cocaine in some Brazilian sharpnose sharks.
"We hope that more and more people come to understand that cação is shark, and shark meat is toxic, in addition to the fact that sharks are endangered animals," Palazzo said.
Beyond conservation, the project sees potential for ecotourism centered around shark observation as an additional income source for the remote community. Nascimento Martins, who fishes and sells ice to supplement her income, expressed hope that ecotourism could significantly benefit the area and help preserve their village. Reinaldo Dias da Rocha, also from the community, confirmed that the project reinforces the importance of shark preservation, a message he now passes on to younger relatives and visitors.