Amazonian Fish and Sustainability
While much attention is focused on developing forest biodiversity as the basis for the Amazon bioeconomy, there is far less recognition of the enormous economic potential of the Amazon’s managed fisheries and aquaculture, and the strategic role that fish can play as an alternative to beef. Aquaculture requires only 5% of the land required by conventional beef production to produce the same amount of animal protein. Brazil has a fast growing, world class aquaculture sector, and virtually all Amazon states are investing in aquaculture. At the same time, considerable progress has been made in sustainably managing the Amazon’s floodplain fisheries as a major source of subsistence and income for traditional and indigenous communities. Fish is the most important form of animal protein traded globally and has the market power to drive development of Amazon fish production. Large scale investment in developing the potential of Amazon fish could significantly reduce pressure on Amazon forests while increasing employment and incomes for Amazon farmers and traditional and Indigenous peoples. Join the conversation with David McGrath of the Earth Innovation Institute. Reference: Policy Brief – Can Fish Drive the Development of the Amazon Bioeconomy?
Recorded April 25, 2022
References:
State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture
Brazilian Association of Fish Farming (Pisciculture)
The development of Brazilian aquaculture: Introduced and native species
Tambaqui – A fish popular in Amazonian aquaculture
Arapaima / Pirarucu – Among the world’s largest freshwater fish
Taking the Amazon back to fish: A fish-based low-emission development strategy for the Amazon Basin
Community-based management induces rapid recovery of a high-value tropical freshwater fishery
Protect a Giant Fish for the Amazon
