Invasive Giant Prawn Threatens Brazil's Protected Coastal Areas
The invasive giant river prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is spreading through Brazil's protected coastal areas, according to recent research. Initially introduced for aquaculture in the late 20th century, the species has now been recorded in 11 coastal protected areas across the country.
A study published in Estuaries and Coasts documented 111 occurrences of the prawn, with 68 unique records within protected zones. These include 44 records in Environmental Protection Areas, 3 in no-take zones, 7 in the Atlantic Forest South-East Reserves, 2 within Indigenous Lands, and 1 in a sustainable-use area.
Long-term monitoring from January 2015 to July 2025 in the Cananéia–Iguape–Ilha Comprida estuary, part of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve, revealed the prawn's persistent presence. Fishers participating in the study captured 90 individuals, including egg-bearing females, indicating successful local reproduction.
The prawn's presence extends beyond protected areas, with established populations in the Amazon Delta, highlighting broader ecological risks. The species' expansion threatens native aquatic fauna, raising alarms among scientists and environmental managers.