Abstract

Fishing for the critically endangered goliath grouper (GG) (Epinephelus itajara) has been prohibited in Brazil since 2002. However, this prohibition is likely to be lifted at 2015. Despite efforts, information about their distribution, abundance, or ecology is sparse and no data suggesting that populations have recovered is available. In this study, we have gathered sightings-per-unit-effort (SPUE) data on three sites in southern Brazil using scuba diving surveys and examining seasonal differences in size distribution and reproductive condition of specimens collected or donated by law enforcement officers. Data showed that SPUE differed significantly within seasons (p < 0.05), increasing in late spring to become highest during the summer. All females sampled during summer were considered reproductively ready to spawn while all those sampled during other seasons were either regressing or dormant. What these data strongly infer is that we have located goliath grouper spawning aggregation sites south the State of Paraná and north of the State of Santa Catarina and identified summer as the most likely spawning season. We have also evaluated size frequency distributions, abundance, and reproductive characteristics. These data may provide information useful for stock assessments and therefore the management and conservation of this menaced fish. This is the first step involved in raising new questions and planning further studies with goliath groupers in Brazil.

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