Mullet Hunting: A Tradition That Drives Science and Economy in Santa Catarina

Harvesting mullet is a local tradition that dates back to the 16th century and is renewed year after year. In Brazil, about 80% of mullet fishing is carried out in Santa Catarina, where it is considered a cultural heritage, a legacy that is part of the emotional memory of many families, which drives tourism, intensifies trade and promotes health.

The ideal condition for good transportation is usually during the fall and winter, when an intense mass of polar air reigns on the coast of Santa Catarina. Some types of guns come straight from the sands of the beach and go to the wood-burning stove of some of the area’s residents. Others reach Santa Catarina’s tables through industrial fishing.

Stakes ensure more sustainable fishing

Fishing is an adventure you can do well, you can win, tie or lose, says Jaime Fernandez, who is in charge of maintaining the fishing vessels at Gay Harbor. The cost of each boat trip to fish for mullet is about R$100,000. This value indicates the purchase of snow (about 30 tons); Diesel, food and crew salaries.

Industrial fishing currently accounts for 25% of the total due to quota limit, the second model, in 2018. And the ocean of Luis Carlos Matsuda, this quota management system is fisheries in Brazil. In the southeastern and southern regions, mullet is the only resource controlled by quotas and another resource is being improved.

It also has a technical working group that studies with the productive sector, with academia, with the government and is improved annually, precisely because of concern about resource exploitation.

“- If it is explored in a sustainable way, we can keep these fisheries for many years” – he continues.

Tradition that also drives science

Mullet hunting isn’t just a Santa Catarina tradition. It ensures the sustainability of the production chain that includes tourism, gastronomy, transportation, exports and research. Whether it is artisanal or industrial, it is able to mobilize a large network of people, services and trade. Of the 1,850 tons seized last year, nearly all remain in the state. This is because there is a loyal market for consumers in Santa Catarina.

And it’s not just the local cuisine that’s moving. It also stimulates tourism and promotes many events, such as sarajaku – a fun competition among fishermen, which has attracted visitors from all regions.

There are studies on mullet and the Marine Fish Breeding Laboratory at the UFSC – Federal University of Santa Catarina – many of them in Florianópolis, and they were the first in the world to cover the entire life cycle of this species in captivity.

If at sea it is necessary to rely on the help of nature, ideal conditions, between winds and climate, in captivity much study and research is required to ensure a mullet all year round.

“—Here in the south, what explains the ripening of the mullet for spawning is the lower temperature. If we have some wings with different temperatures, we can produce mullet all year round” – Caillou Frances Magnotti, supervisor at Lapmar UFSC.

The technology is perfect, but there is still a company that buys the project for mass production. In this way, it will be possible to create a production chain capable of producing taxes for the state, jobs, new firms, and new technologies.

“- There are many products that we still do not serve today because the catch is concentrated in two or three months” – says Caillou.

source of omega 3

The price of mullet is one of the main attractions among consumers, but many people think that it is not very good for their health, due to the fat it contains.

According to dietitian Takeo Kimoto, it’s not so interesting to remove the fat above the mullet’s bottom. This is because it protects our omega-3 risks, for example, on our memory for example.

It also considers good cholesterol – and bad cholesterol, as well as good cholesterol levels – and bad triglycerides, as well as risks.

Export to Asian market

For residents of Santa Catarina, mullet alone is enough to fill your eyes and make your mouth water, now, for other countries of the world, what is roe is also known as “Brazilian caviar”. This is because the taste of mullet roe is considered one of the best in the world and many people come from all over the world to buy roe here in the state.

One of his export products, which has the highest added value, is mullet roe, says Tamji Yoshimura, owner of Yoshi Fish Factory in Porto Belo. He says this is the fourth year it has been exported to Taiwan. During harvest, the plant is sent to remove eggs and produce them.

“- Last year, for example, we produced and exported 22 tons of roe,” – adds Tamji.

The print and size of the eggs also interfere with their added value. In Yoshi it is exported at Natura, with a value of 35-40 dollars per kilo.

While the roe is exported, the mullet itself is sold fresh for the local market. And not only fish fillets are used. Offal is also exported and used to make animal feed.

The productivity of mullet shows that this is a cycle that transcends tradition and cultural tradition, it is the perfect example of agriculture, health and cooperation.

source: ND +