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Abstract The Atlantic goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara is the largest grouper species in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the conservation status being Vulnerable (VU) globally and Critically Endangered (CR) in Brazil, the species continues to face threats from overfishing throughout its range. We used DNA barcoding employing the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene to identify the illegal commercialization of E. itajara in fish markets from the northern (NC) and southern (SC) Brazilian coasts. Sampling was conducted in fish markets and aimed to confirm the identification of mischaracterized fish sold as E. itajara in the NC, as well as identifying fish fillets sold as the Dusky grouper in the SC. DNA barcoding allowed the unambiguous identification of 22 (84.6%) of the 26 analyzed fish market samples. Both sampled areas had confirmation of E. itajara illegal commercialization and from the 22 analyzed samples, 17 (77.3%) were confirmed to be E. itajara. Here we report two crimes, the illegal sale of E. itajara and commercial fraud by species substitution. This study has highlighted that the existing legislation that protects E. itajara in Brazilian waters requires the adoption of better public policies for the conservation of the species.

The coast of the state of Santa Catarina only has non-biogenic reefs, i.e. rocky and artificial reefs, and is considered the geographic south limit for many reef fish species. At present the diversity of organisms associated with reef environments is threatened. This study aimed to record the number of families and species of reef fish fauna of the north coast of the state of Santa Catarina. The data were collected through underwater visual census performed on Graças archipelago (26°12'S /48º29'W), Tamboretes archipelago (26°22'S/48°31'W) and Barra do Sul islands (26°27'S/48º35'W). A total of 166 species was observed (6 elasmobranchii and 160 actinopterygii) belonging to 66 families. The families with more species richness were Carangidae (16), Epinephelidae (9), Blenidae (8), Serranidae (7), Haemulidae (6), Sparidae (6) Tetraodontidae (6), Labridae-Scarini (5), Labrisomidae (5) Pomacentridae (5), Lutjanidae (5) and Muraenidae (5). This study add to the current published list, new 115 species, including new occurrences (e.g. Chromis limbata), and some endemic (e.g. Sparisoma amplum), exotic (e.g. Omobranchus punctatus), endangered (e.g. Hippocampus erectus) and overexploited (e.g. Lutjanus analis) species. Twenty one species are present in the IUCN’s list, twelve in the IBAMA’s list and four in the local list. All elasmobranchii recorded here are considered threatened species, like the brazilian guitarfish (Rhinobatos horkelii), which appears in three red lists, and it is considered critically endangered. All species of Epinephelidae are mentioned in the list of risk categories of the IUCN and five are cited as overexploited or threatened with overexploitation by IBAMA. Among Epinephelidae, the goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara), is present in all red lists and has specific protection rules in Brazil. The gathered information will allow to take appropriate conservation measures, such as the establishment of marine protected areas, monitoring of fishing practices, assessment of the tourism impact and to control harbor activities.