Winter is time to eat the grey mullet (Mugil brasiliensis), called locally “tainha”, a popular and traditional fish dish in the region. Large catches during the cold months allow the fish to be found in most seafood restaurants, served in a variety of ways.
The grey mullet is part of the local culture. The fishing is mostly artisan and a party is celebrated every year during June/July in Barra da Lagoa.
Today I ate the grey mullet at Chão Batido, a lovely waterfront restaurant in Santo Antonio de Lisboa. The mullet has a distinguished flavor and I particularly like it grilled, accompanied with rice and pirão ( kind of gravy ).
If you are visiting Florianópolis during winter and love fish, like I do, don’t miss the chance to try a delicious and traditional dish.

Florianópolis is composed of many fishing communities where catching fish and harvesting seafood are important activities in their lifes. The tradition has been cultivated by Portuguese Azorean families that settled in the island in the 18th century.
Autumn is the opening season for catching the mullet, a popular fish present in many dishes of the local cuisine. The mullet is usually caught with long nets pulled by a group of people. The nets are placed close to the beach where observers look for a shoal. The fishing in the island is mostly artisan.
Unfortunately the fast growth has affect the tradition, changing the local culture and causing conflicts, like the fishermen and surfers fighting for the sea during winter. However the dark side is pictured by overfishing, leading to a inevitable resource depletion, unless a sustainable fishing management is implemented. “The Tragedy of the Commons” explains well the problem. The reduction of species like the haddock and cod in the Atlantic show how man is aggravating the problem and could lead us all to a food shortage. If we all think only for the short term we will have nothing to catch in the future.
Some countries like Norway (with the Cod) and Australia (with the Lobster) understand that it is possible to minimize the impact with control over the fishing industry making for a sustainable fishing. Unfortunately the ocean has areas where no law is present and you certainly find boats taking as much as it is possible.