The federal government suspended the 2026 beach seine mullet fishery in Santa Catarina on June 7 after catches reached 90% of the 1,332-ton quota in just 38 days. While the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture (MPA) initially halted the activity, it announced a reversal on June 9, promising an expanded quota for the state’s northern coast following an emergency meeting of the Mullet Working Group.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the decision to revisit the suspension stems from the cultural and economic importance of the artisanal fishery. While the federal government has signaled an intent to expand the quota for the Litoral Norte region, the official portaria required to formalize this change had not been published at the time of reporting.
What caused the 2026 “supersafra”?
The record-breaking pace of the 2026 season is linked to specific environmental conditions, according to Caio Magnotti, a doctor in Aquaculture at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Lapmar/UFSC). Magnotti notes that two extratropical cyclones in Argentina likely pushed schools of fish toward the Santa Catarina coast more rapidly than in previous years.
The migratory behavior of the mullet is also highly dependent on water temperature. Research indicates that the species moves optimally in waters between 19°C and 21°C. Because these temperatures persisted throughout May, the fish remained along the coast, creating a window for high-volume catches that caught many in the industry by surprise.
The 2026 season marked only the second year that the beach seine modality has been subject to a federal quota, with the limit set at 1,332 tons. In 2025, the first year of the quota system, fishermen did not reach the maximum limit, catching approximately 1,000 tons.
How does the quota system impact local fishermen?
The current management model has created a significant economic divide. Laurentino Benedito Neves, subsecretary of fisheries for Florianópolis, reports that while local community sales fetch between R$ 8 and R$ 10 per kilogram, the lack of storage infrastructure forces fishermen to sell excess volume to the industry for as little as R$ 2 to R$ 3 per kilogram.
Fabiano Müller Silva, executive secretary of State for Aquaculture and Fisheries, argues that Santa Catarina is unfairly targeted by these regulations. He notes that while other states like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Paraná also practice beach seine fishing, they remain exempt from the federal quota limits imposed on Santa Catarina.
The conflict highlights a disconnect between top-down regulatory frameworks and the realities of artisanal fishing. When quotas are calculated without robust, localized monitoring, they risk penalizing communities that haven’t yet reached their season, as seen in the disparity between the southern and northern regions of the state.
What happens next for the fishing season?
The resumption of fishing is contingent upon a joint portaria from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change. Until this document is released, all commercial beach seine activity remains legally suspended.
Local fishermen, such as Nilton Agenor Gaia, express concern that a partial reopening—limited only to the northern coast—could create further friction. There is ongoing uncertainty regarding whether the government will implement a state-wide increase in the quota or apply restricted, region-specific rules to manage the remaining capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the mullet fishery suspended in June 2026?
The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture suspended the activity after the beach seine modality reached 90% of its 1,332-ton quota within 38 days.
Are other states subject to these same fishing quotas?
No. According to the state government, Santa Catarina is currently the only state where the beach seine modality is regulated by a federal quota through the Ministry of Fisheries.
What is the current status of the fishery?
The fishery is currently suspended. While the federal government announced plans to expand the quota for the Litoral Norte, it requires a formal, joint portaria from federal ministries to take effect.
How should regulators balance the need for species conservation with the economic survival of traditional fishing communities?
