In Cuiabá, Brazil, two merchants were arrested on Tuesday for selling fish illegally at the local fish market, with authorities seizing nearly 500 kg of fish, specifically the pintado and jaú species. Inspections conducted by the Environmental Police Department and Health Surveillance scrutinized 22 stands within the market, leading to the discovery of these illegal activities. The arrests were part of a larger initiative aimed at ensuring compliance with regulations that prohibit the sale and transportation of specific fish species considered endangered or endangered due to overfishing.

The situation prompted a statement from the municipal government, which clarified that these inspections are intended to orient and enforce health regulations, ensuring food safety and hygiene standards are met in local markets. This enforcement stems from concerns about the sustainability and conservation of local fish populations, further emphasizing the community's responsibility in regulating fishing practices to protect natural resources.

Wellington Campos, the market's president, defended the merchants by claiming they had obtained permission from the local government to operate until Easter. He expressed a desire for the vendors to meet with city officials to clarify and possibly negotiate their status to prevent further conflicts with law enforcement. This incident underscores the ongoing struggle between local fishing practices, regulatory compliance, and the need for sustainable management of fish resources in the region.