This study aimed at identifying and characterizing the industrial bottom gillnet fisheries existing in southeastern and southern Brazil, and discussing their implication to the current regional management regime. More than 7,000 landings were monitored in Santa Catarina State harbors (Southern Brazil), between 2001 and 2008. Five distinct fisheries have been identified: foreign vessels captured the monkfish (Lophius gastrophysus) in slope grounds from 2001 to 2002. National fleets have targeted whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri), and Argentine croaker (Umbrina canosai) on the continental shelf, and monkfish and the gulf hake (Urophysis mystacea) on the slope. Besides targets and fishing grounds, mesh sizes of the nets were also distinct among the fisheries. Within the four national fisheries only the monkfish have specific legislation, while a general norm orders the others, irrespective of the particularities of the stocks and fleets involved.