Authorities seized nearly 900 Uçá crabs during the initial days of a protective operation on the Piauí coast to ensure the species' conservation during its breeding season.
In Piauí, Brazil, nearly 900 Uçá crabs were seized during the first two days of the third stage of Operation Defeso, conducted by the State Secretary for the Environment and the Civil Police's Environmental Protection Unit. This operation targets the illegal capture of crabs while they are under a protection period, known locally as 'defeso', which prohibits fishing for specific species to support their breeding and ensure sustainable populations.
The operation recorded the largest seizure of its kind in the state during the closed season. According to the Secretary of the Environment, on the first day alone, 60 crabs were confiscated, with a staggering total exceeding 800 on the second day. The volume of crabs seized represents the daily consumption of approximately three to nine restaurants, highlighting the significance of illegal fishing on local ecosystems and businesses.
The closed season not only protects the Uçá crab but is crucial for maintaining biodiversity in the coastal mangrove habitats. The enforcement of these protective measures reflects the government's commitment to conserving marine life and the sustainable management of aquatic resources, which is essential for the health of the local environment and economy.
