Updated January 21, 2026 by Xenia Anagnostou – University of Plymouth Marine Conservation Masters student graduate and Shark Angels Intern

Brazil Sharks: Status + Overview

Brazil is home to one of the world’s richest shark biodiversity, making Brazil’s shark protection a vital part of global ocean conservation. With between 80 and over 200 shark species found along its vast Atlantic coastline, Brazil hosts an impressive mix of coastal and pelagic sharks, including small reef dwellers and apex predators, like tiger and great white sharks.

However, the remarkable shark diversity is under threat. Over 30% of Brazil’s elasmobranchs (sharks and rays) are at risk of extinction. At least 37 shark species are already considered endangered or regionally extinct in Brazilian waters.

The leading causes of decline include overfishing, high bycatch rates, and habitat loss. Brazil ranks among the top shark-catching nations globally and is also the world’s largest importer of shark meat, intensifying the need for more substantial Brazil shark conservation efforts.

In response, researchers and conservationists are calling for stricter Brazil shark laws, improved fisheries management, and more protected marine areas. Sustainable fishing, responsible tourism, and public awareness are key steps toward recovery.

For a broader view of global protections, see the Shark Angels Shark Status, Laws + Loopholes by Country Hub.

Major Threats to Sharks in Brazilian Waters

Shark meat is prepared for distribution at CEAGESP in São Paulo, the largest food warehouse in Latin America. Image by Philip Jacobson/Mongabay.

Overfishing and the Shark Meat Trade

Brazil has become one of the world’s largest consumers and importers of shark meat, contributing to a global market worth over $2.6 billion. Local processors handle around 10 tons of shark meat per month, primarily near-threatened blue sharks imported from Costa Rica, Uruguay, China, and Spain.

Although Brazilian shark laws officially ban targeted fishing of endangered shark species, legal loopholes still allow the sale of sharks caught “incidentally.” This gap, combined with poor monitoring, has enabled widespread overfishing, fishing during closed seasons, and the capture of large numbers of juvenile sharks, around 70% of the total catch, threatening local shark populations.

The IUCN reports that 83% of shark and ray species sold in Brazil are threatened, and consumption remains high, with 17,000 tons of shark meat eaten in 2021 and 13,000 tons in 2022. Even though restrictions on shark finning exist, they have not significantly reduced shark mortality. Globally, around 80 million sharks are still killed each year, with Brazil contributing to this ongoing decline.
More on threats facing sharks.

Bycatch and Illegal landing practices 

Direct shark fishing is officially prohibited for many shark species in Brazil, but loopholes in bycatch regulations allow sharks unintentionally caught in tuna and mixed-species fisheries to be landed and sold legally. In reality, Brazil’s tuna fleet often lands more sharks than tuna, making bycatch one of the silent drivers of shark mortality. 

In many northern ports, including those supplying the Amazon’s Ver-o-Peso market, shark catches are frequently processed in secret. Fishers often remove fins and behead sharks before landing, making it impossible to identify species or detect the capture of endangered sharks. 

Across Brazil’s northern coast, approximately 2,000 vessels operate with minimal oversight. Weak enforcement allows illegal practices to continue unchecked. Many fins and carcasses are illegally exported to Asian markets, while the remaining meat quietly enters local systems, including public procurement chains for schools, hospitals, and prisons.

Shark meat on sale in Brazil is labeled as cação, a generic term whose true meaning is unknown to most Brazilians, surveys show. Image by Philip Jacobson/Mongabay.

Mislabeling and identification of shark meat 

In Brazil, shark meat is commonly sold under the generic name “cação,” making it nearly impossible for consumers to know which species they are buying or whether it is protected under Brazilian shark conservation laws. While traditional fishing communities can distinguish between species, most Brazilians remain unaware that cação is actually shark meat. This lack of awareness fuels demand and weakens ongoing  Brazil shark protection efforts.

The problem extends far beyond local markets. Misidentification is widespread in domestic catches and imported products, allowing meat from endangered sharks to enter Brazil’s seafood supply unnoticed. Vague regulations and unclear government guidance on which species can be sold legally create confusion among fisher, vendors, and inspectors. 

Every other Monday is cação day at a school in Duque de Caxias, where some are pushing the city to remove shark meat from school meals. Images courtesy of Solange Bergami.

Public Health Concerns

Brazil’s shark consumption poses serious public health risks due to the high concentrations of mercury, arsenic, and other toxic metals commonly found in shark tissues. Despite these well-documented dangers, more than 5,400 metric tons of shark meat have been procured for public institutions, including schools, hospitals, prisons, and military facilities, many of which serve highly vulnerable populations such as infants and pregnant women. Because most of this meat is sold generically as cação, neither suppliers nor public institutions realize they may be serving mercury-contaminated shark meat from endangered species. The involuntary consumption of hazardous levels of toxins, without transparency about the species or risks involved, undermines basic human rights protection. 

This expansion of shark meat consumption is particularly concerning given that shark meat has only recently entered the Brazilian market and does not reflect a long-standing dietary tradition. Moreover, overall fish consumption in Brazil remains relatively low, at approximately 9 kg per capita per year, well below the global average of about 20 kg, indicating that shark meat contributes little to national dietary protein intake. The promotion of shark meat therefore appears neither nutritionally necessary nor consistent with public health and food-security priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sharks in Brazil

Q: Are there sharks in Brazil?
Yes. Brazil is home to a remarkable variety of shark species thanks to its warm tropical and subtropical waters. Common sharks found in Brazilian waters include bull sharks, tiger sharks, blacktip sharks, and lemon sharks. Brazil’s diverse coastline supports both coastal reef species and large pelagic sharks, making it one of the richest shark habitats in the Atlantic.

Q: Are Brazil sharks dangerous?
Most sharks in Brazil are harmless to humans, but tiger sharks and bull sharks are responsible for the majority of recorded incidents. These species are powerful apex predators and are sometimes seen close to beaches, particularly in northeastern states, like Pernambuco. However, shark encounters remain rare. 

Q: Which shark species are most endangered in Brazil?
Several species are critically endangered, including the smalltail shark, scalloped hammerhead, and sand tiger shark. Overfishing, bycatch, and illegal trade are the main threats to these populations. Strengthening Brazil shark laws and creating more marine protected areas are key steps toward their recovery.

Q: What is Brazil doing to protect sharks?
Brazil has several shark protection laws that ban targeted shark fishing and finning. However, bycatch loopholes and mislabelled shark meat (“cação”) remain major challenges. Conservation groups, such as Sea Shepherd Brazil and academic researchers are working to strengthen Brazil shark conservation through better monitoring, consumer education, and habitat protection.

Q: When is the best time to see sharks in Brazil?
Shark sightings are possible year-round, but April to September offers the best diving visibility and calmer sea conditions along Brazil’s northeastern and southeastern coasts. Different regions may attract specific shark species depending on temperature and currents. 

Q: Can you dive or snorkel with sharks in Brazil?
Yes, diving with sharks in Brazil can be an incredible experience. The best-known shark diving spots include Fernando de Noronha, Cabo Frio, and Abrolhos Marine National Park, where you can encounter species such as reef sharks and nurse sharks in their natural environment. Snorkelling with sharks, however, is generally not recommended, since surface splashing can mimic injured prey and attract predators. Always dive with certified eco-operators that follow Brazil shark conservation guidelines.

A young flathead shark swims about the urban fringe of Recife / Daniel Botelho

Shark Populations in Brazil

Smalltail (Carcharhinus porosus): Critically Endangered

• Where: Estuaries and nearshore waters of the western Atlantic Ocean from Brazil to the northern Gulf of Mexico.
• When: Year-round, specifically warmer months.
• Frequency: Due to 90% drop of over the past 40 years is difficult to see them. 
• Notes: Opportunistic predators, primarily feeding on small fish, such as sea catfish and aquatic invertebrates. Juvenile smalltail sharks may also fall prey to larger predators, like tiger sharks. Typically, they are bottom-dwelling species and are commonly found in muddy estuaries. 

Night Shark (Carcharhinus signatus): Endangered

• Where: Atlantic ocean off the coast of southern Brazil. 
• When: Nocturnal activity.
• Frequency: Year-round. 
• Notes: Feeds on squid and small bony fishes, including flyingfish, scombrids, butterfishes, and sea basses. Larger sharks are predators of night sharks. Retained as bycatch from billfish and tuna fishing trips using longlines and is commercially targeted off the northeast coast of Brazil.

Brazilian Sharpnose Shark (Rhizoprionodon lalandii): Vulnerable

• Where: Western and southwest Atlantic ocean 
• When: juveniles from October to March and adults from April to July.
• Frequency: Year-round.
• Notes: Inhabited in shallow coastal waters, on sandy and muddy bottoms. Primarily feeds on bony fish and squid.

Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas): Vulnerable

• Where: From Massachusetts to southern Brazil. 
• When: year-round, specifically in coastal and river areas.
• Frequency: Seen in locations where freshwater enters the ocean, like near Recife. 
• Notes: Apex predators that feed mainly on bony fish and small sharks, such as other bull sharks and stingrays. They can tolerate both saltwater and freshwater and are known for their aggressive behaviour. 

Tiger Shark (Galeocerdo cuvier): Near Threatened

• Where: High concentration along the coast of Rio de Janeiro and around Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, with sightings also near Recife. 
• When: December to May and June to August in areas like Recife.
• Frequency: They are often observed in popular locations, such as Rio de Janeiro, São João da Barra, and Arraial do Cabo.
• Notes: Apex predators and highly opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes crustaceans, bony fish, stingrays, sea turtles, dolphins, and even whale calves. They are known for their aggressive behavior and tolerance of both salt and freshwater, which allows them to enter estuaries and river mouths.

Shark Protection and Laws in Brazil

Portaria Interministeria No. 30/ Blue Shark Quota (2025)

• Legalises blue shark fishing quotas.
• Allows an annual catch of 3,481 tons of blue sharks, turning bycatch into a commercially targeted species.

Ordinance MMA 354/ Protected Species Lists (2023)

• National red list that prohibits the capture, trade, and sale of sharks.
• Over 30 shark species have been added to the list.

Decree IBAMA No 02/ Traceability and Monitoring (2014)

• All shark catches must be reported, and fishing vessels must be registered, ensuring record for landings and traceability, which aligns with CITES traceability standards.

Portaria IBAMA 121 (1998)

• Legislation set a maximum fin-to-body ratio of 5% but compliance and enforcement were challenging, so the 2012 “fins attached” policy was implemented for clarity and stronger enforcement. 

CITES Commitments

• Brazil  follows the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), controlling the trade of listed shark species.
• Permits are required for import/export of these species.

Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and Quotas

• Annual catch limits set for certain shark species.
• Established a quota of roughly 3,400 tons for blue sharks, which are under review.

Loopholes in Brazil Shark Laws

Bycatch and Target Fishing Loopholes: The 2025 Interministerial Ordinance (Portaria Interministerial) (MPA/MMA No. 30) introduced new legal allowances that weaken the effectiveness of Brazil shark protection laws. The law permits target fishing of blue sharks without a completed scientific sustainability assessment. This creates a significant loophole that undermines Brazil shark conservation efforts, as many catches are reported under other fisheries, such as tuna and swordfish. 

Weak Enforcement and Monitoring: Brazil’s enforcement capacity remains limited. The majority of shark fishing relies on self-reported data, with very few independent inspections, less than 5% of vessels monitored by observers , and longline fleets exploit regulatory grey areas that classify these as “incidental” captures. 

Domestic Trade: Although shark finning is banned, the law still permits fins to be removed once sharks are landed whole, thereby enabling domestic trade. This creates an internal market that fuels demand and increases the consumption of shark meat. 

Mislabeling: Shark meat is commonly sold under the generic name “cação”. Many consumers are unaware they purchase shark meat and consumption of shark meat increases. 

Slow Policy and Regulatory Gaps: Policy reform in Brazil shark laws is often slow and reactive. Despite international recognition of shark population declines, the process of adding species to CITES protection lists and implementing management plans can take years. Additionally, the government’s reliance on outdated or incomplete data from foreign bodies, such as ICCAT, prevents adequate species-specific protections. These delays leave critically endangered species, including the smalltail shark and hammerheads. 

Marine Protected Areas in Brazilian Waters – What Do They Mean for Sharks?

Brazil is one of the richest shark and ray ecosystems in the Atlantic, but when it comes to the effectiveness of Brazil shark protection initiatives, there is a gap between ambition and reality.

Overview of Shark Protection in Brazilian Marine Protected Areas
Currently, there are 336 marine protected areas (MPAs) identified in Brazilian waters. The North Platform is the largest, formalizing the largest area in Latin America in 2020, covering 92 million hectares (26.4%)  of the Brazilian waters placed under biodiversity status protection. 

In addition to expanding coverage, the Brazilian government has strengthened management and monitoring of 1.58 million hectares of marine and coastal protected areas (MCPA). These efforts are supported by new institutional frameworks and national monitoring programs, like Monitora, which work closely with local and indigenous communities to improve marine conservation outcomes. 

The National Commission on Biodiversity (CONABIO) previously set a target to bring 10% of Brazil’s marine and coastal zones under protection, but until the 2020 expansion, effective coverage remained well below that target.

What’s Working

• In recent talks, CONAMA member José Truda Palazzo Junior suggested ending the use of wire leaders in marine protected areas would reduce the incidental capture not only of sharks but also of other threatened species by up to 40%.
  
• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), like the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago ban shark fishing and longline fishing since 2012. 

The Loopholes – What It Means for Shark Conservation

• Many new MPAs still permit extractive activities like fishing, which undermines the goals of Brazil shark conservation. Over 65% of Brazilian elasmobranchs remain threatened due to fisheries and habitat loss, with gaps in scientific knowledge and enforcement jeopardizing recovery. 
  
• Although fishing is illegal in MPAs, such as the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago,  illegal fishing still occurs, undermining the effectiveness and purpose of these protected areas. 
  
• Coverage overlaps with multiple user groups, and ensuring full compliance remains a challenge, especially for habitats essential to sharks.
  
• Lack of effective management tools, leading to 53% of MPAs being only partially protected.
  
• A large share of newly declared areas are vast but remote, leaving many key coastal shark nurseries and migratory routes less protected.
  
• Coverage overlaps with multiple user groups, and ensuring full compliance remains a challenge, especially for habitats essential to sharks.

Why It Matters for Sharks
MPAs matter for sharks because they provide safe habitats that support shark recovery, protect critical breeding and nursery grounds, and increase prey availability essential for healthy populations. Well-managed MPAs reduce fishing pressure and bycatch risks, helping to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity. For Brazil’s shark-rich waters, MPAs like Fernando de Noronha offer critical refuge for endangered species, but their full benefit depends on strong enforcement, habitat connectivity, and science-based management to ensure long-term sustainability for sharks and human communities.

Shark Conservation in Brazil

There are many local shark + marine conservation organizations in Brazil. 

• SOS Mata Atlantica Foundation: Promotes the conservation of the Atlantic Forest and its associated coastal and marine environments through management of marine protected areas.
• Parley Brazil: Fighting against plastic pollution and marine litter.
• Sea Shepherd Brazil: Protects and conserves the ocean by policy, campaigns, and advocacy, and direct action.
• Divers for Sharks: Protects sharks through campaigns and support of the Ilha Grande Bay Shark Project. 
• Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio): Focuses on the conservation of threatened species and collaborates with organizations, such as IUCN.

Learn more about our global efforts on the Shark Angels Conservation page.

Diving with Sharks in Brazil

• Fernando de Noronha Archipelago: Nurse sharks, reef sharks, and occasional hammerhead and whale sharks (September–October).
• São Pedro and São Paulo Archipelago: A remote pelagic shark hotspot, including blue and mako sharks (January and June).
• Arraial do Cabo (Rio de Janeiro): Nurse sharks, tiger sharks and reef-associated species. Easily accessible and great for beginner divers. (December-May)

Always choose responsible operators and follow the Shark Angels shark diving codes of conduct.

How to Protect Sharks in Brazil

For Lawmakers:

• Protection measures should not remain merely on paper  but must be effectively implemented and enforced, particularly through strong international collaboration.
• International agreements must be respected and fully honored to ensure meaningful conservation outcomes. 
• Ban shark meat from public institutes. Fish doesn’t feed the Brazilian community. 
• Mandate accurate species labeling. 
• Enforce science-based fisheries management and improve monitoring systems.
• Strengthen and implement national biodiversity targets by fully integrating shark protection policies.
• Effectively manage Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
• Actively participate in regional and international conservation treaties such as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).

For Residents:

• Get Smart! Avoid shark products. Ask businesses to stop selling them. Tools here!
• Check seafood labels and avoid vague names, like “cação”. More on shark products here.
• Support sustainable fishing practices.
• Support legislation protecting sharks + their habitats.
• Share your experiences on social media to raise awareness about shark conservation in Brazil.
• Contact your elected officials and push for stronger shark protection laws.
• More here

For Tourists:

• Choose ethical shark diving operators.
• Do not consume shark products with “cação” labels. 
• Don’t buy shark souvenirs.
• Respect MPA rules.
• Report Illegal activities. 
• Sign our petition to prohibit shark meat in public meals like schools, hospitals, prisons.

References

1. Malleret, C. (2024). ‘We sell it in secret, like drugs’: Brazil’s appetite for shark meat puts species under threat. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/07/brazil-fishing-shark-meat-trade-threat-species-marine-conservation.
2. Quadros, A. B.(2023). Endangered Sharks and Rays are Sold in the Amazon’s Largest Street Market. [online] Earth Journalism Network. Available at: https://earthjournalism.net/stories/endangered-sharks-and-rays-are-sold-in-the-amazons-largest-street-market [Accessed 29 Oct. 2025].
3. ‌Dasgupta, S. (2025). Brazil’s shark meat problem. [online] Mongabay Environmental News. Available at: https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/2025/08/brazils-shark-meat-problem/.
4. ‌Bernardo, C., Corrêa de Lima Adachi, A.M., Paes da Cruz, V., Foresti, F., Loose, R.H. and Bornatowski, H. (2020). The label ‘Cação’ is a shark or a ray and can be a threatened species! Elasmobranch trade in Southern Brazil unveiled by DNA barcoding. Marine Policy, 116, p.103920. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2020.103920.
5. ‌NOAA Fisheries (2024). Smalltail Shark. [online] NOAA. Available at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/smalltail-shark.
6. ‌Discover Fishes. (2025). Night Shark. [online] Available at: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/night-shark/ [Accessed 29 Oct. 2025].
7. ‌Discover Fishes. (2018). Bull Shark. [online] Available at: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/bull-shark/.
8. ‌Torres-Flores, J.P., Perregil, F., Gil, N. (2025). Available at: https://crbio07.gov.br/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/EN-Oficio-20250428_1-Analise-Tecnica-pela-URGENTE-revogacao-da-Portaria-Interministerial-MPA_MMA-no-30_2025EA-SHEPHERD-BRASIL.pdf.
9. ‌mpatlas.org (2025). MPAtlas» Brazil. [online] Mpatlas.org. Available at: https://old.mpatlas.org/region/country/BRA/.
10. ‌Group, W.B. (2020). Building One of Latin America’s Largest Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Brazil. [online] World Bank. Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/results/2020/10/23/building-one-of-latin-americas-largest-networks-of-marine-protected-areas-in-brazil.
11. ‌Schiavetti, A., Manz, J., Zapelini dos Santos, C., Magro, T.C. and Pagani, M.I. (2013). Marine Protected Areas in Brazil: An ecological approach regarding the large marine ecosystems. Ocean & Coastal Management, 76, pp.96–104. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2013.02.003.
12. ‌Original: English Annual Fishing / Capacity Management / FAD Management Plans for Tropical Tunas Name of CPC: Brazil Year of Fishing Plan: 2024. (n.d.). Available at: https://fisheryprogress.org/sites/default/files/documents_actions/PA1_MAY_03_ENG_BRA.pdf.