Partnership between Unesp de Bauru and Ibama discovers trafficked marine species through DNA at Guarulhos Airport

Partnership between Unesp Bauru and Ibama discovers trafficked marine species through DNA Researchers from the Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp) in Bauru (SP), in partnership with inspectors from the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) use DNA analysis to track and identify tons of marine animals seized at Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), in São Paulo. Forensic genetics research combats international marine life trafficking that attempts to illegally remove endangered species from the country. ? Join the g1 Bauru and Marília channel on WhatsApp The partnership tracks tons of marine animals, such as sea cucumbers, shark fins and swim bladders that would be illegally trafficked from Brazil abroad in suitcases, boxes and even food packaging. Sea cucumbers seized at GRU by Ibama Collection LAGENPE/ UNESP Bauru The cargoes would be dispatched at the freight terminal or taken by passengers bound for Asian countries such as China and Hong Kong, as well as the United States, United Kingdom and Italy. After the seizures in Guarulhos, Ibama inspectors sent samples of the material to the Fish Genomics and Conservation Laboratory, on the Unesp campus in Bauru. On site, the team carries out genetic sequencing to identify the animals. MORE The documents are delivered to the environmental institute to feed police investigations and support the work of specialized forensic laboratories. "We issue a report explaining which samples analyzed are from animals at risk of extinction and cannot be sold. Ibama takes this document and sends the material directly to an official forensic laboratory. This way, they only do it through criminal expertise, knowing exactly what they are going to find", explains the biologist. DNA extraction and challenges The study of genetic material samples represents a great challenge for the Unesp team. In addition to trying to deceive visual inspection, dehydration and manipulation (very common in seizures) serve to reduce the volume and weight of pieces in luggage, preserving the product during the journey. DNA analysis to identify species of marine animal in Unesp Laboratory Collection LAGENPE / UNESP Bauru According to Auany, the extraction of DNA from dried and degraded fish and sea cucumbers, for example, requires complex protocols, such as the scientific method "DNA barcoding". "DNA barcoding is when we take each individual and sequence it to identify the species. Now, we also do metabarcoding, in which I put the DNA from several samples in a tube to sequence it at once. This makes the process cheaper and optimizes time", explains Auany. Commercial interest The international market's interest in these animals is driven by their high commercial value, linked to the high consumption and scarcity of these resources, especially in Asian countries. The swim bladder is the organ responsible for the buoyancy of fish, allowing them to rise and fall in the water. When dehydrated, it is used by the food and beverage industry, in addition to being consumed in soups and broths in Asian countries. swim bladder can cost around R$3,000. Swim bladders dried and seized in action at GRU Collection LAGENIPE / UNESP Bauru "Swim bladders and shark fins are sold because the market for collagen, traditional medicine and delicacies pays a lot. The swim bladder is super rich in collagen, but it is very difficult to know which animal it was taken from just by looking, as it comes from inside the fish and does not have a defined shape, like the fin." In the case of sea cucumbers, trade is expressly prohibited. They are usually exported dried for collagen extraction and use in gastronomy. "Sea cucumber is sold for medicinal use and as a delicacy on the Asian market. It is not a 'cute fauna' animal, it is not cute, but it has enormous importance in the cycling of nutrients in the oceans, in addition to being widely studied in medicine because of its high power of regeneration", he added. Environmental crime The irregular export of parts of wildlife, without due documentation and authorization from environmental agencies, constitutes an environmental crime. Those involved in the smuggling attempt intercepted at the airport may be criminally liable for the sale, export, acquisition or transport of wildlife specimens or derived products without a license from the authority competent authority, as provided for in Law No. 9,605/1998. The conduct may result in arrest and fines. Depending on the circumstances, the rules set out in the Penal Code related to smuggling or embezzlement may also be applied, in addition to administrative sanctions.