Piraíba fish: understand why the species cannot be consumed

This week, a piraíba fish of about 1.8 meters was caught in the Rio Araguaia, in Nova Crixás, Goiás. The moment caught attention on social media. However, the species cannot be consumed and must be returned to the water. The piraíba fish is characterized as a "species in a closed season" by State Law No. 13,025/1997. That is, its fishing is considered predatory, being prohibited throughout the state. The decree also prohibits the capture of seven other species in the Araguaia-Tocantins Hydrographic Basin. Considered the largest catfish in South America and one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, the piraíba can reach 3.6 meters and 200 kg. The species has a dark gray coloration on ...