The Official National List of Endangered Fauna Species for Fish and Aquatic Invertebrates was updated on Tuesday (Apr. 28). The review, which began in 2024, added 100 species and removed the same number, keeping the total at 490.

Fish, stingrays, sharks, starfish, and hundreds of other species on the Brazilian mainland and in its waters were assessed for extinction risk and, based on their current status, classified as Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN), or Critically Endangered (CR).

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According to João Paulo Capobianco, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, the update is the result of a robust technical analysis to determine the status of Brazilian wildlife, carried out through a joint effort by governments, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

“The goal of this initiative is to mobilize actions so that species currently under pressure from various factors can see their populations recover,” Capobianco said.

The new list replaces the 2014 version and was revised based on criteria from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), used to assess population size, geographic distribution, habitat conservation status, and pressures such as hunting and pollution.

In addition to the list, the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change has published rules and restrictions to protect classified species and support the recovery of their populations. These include prohibitions on capture, transport, sale, and storage, as well as guidelines for developing recovery plans.

Snapper

According to the ministry, some recovery plans for reclassified species are already being revised, such as the snapper (Lutjanus purpureus), which has been reclassified from VU to EN.

Under the new classification, protection and management measures for the species will be intensified to reduce pressures from overfishing and the capture of juveniles.

According to Capobianco, this is a joint effort with the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture aimed at rebuilding populations and ensuring the continuity of economic activity.

“When we talk about sustainability in fishing, we’re talking about ensuring balance: protecting species, respecting science, and ensuring that the fishing industry continues to provide food, income, and development in Brazil. The snapper is of great economic importance, but there will only be a future for this industry if we act responsibly in the present,” said Edipo Araujo, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.