Management of Pirarucu (Arapaima gigas, Teleostei, Osteoglossidae) in Sustainable Use Units as a proposal for the restoration of aquatic ecosystems

Abstract

Sustainable Use Units have been carrying out sustainable management since the 1990s in the State of Amazonas, leading to research on the influence of management plans on restoring ecosystems. We developed an integrative review and analyzed official documents, data from the Brazilian government and information obtained from fishermen on the Unini River Extractive Reserve. The review articles were analyzed qualitatively, and a X2 test was used to verify differences in the distribution of proportions of pirarucu between the years after implementing the management. The management plan was the most cited as a solution to the environmental, social, and economic problems identified in the ecosystems. The data showed an increase in the numbers of pirarucu both in State of Amazonas and in the Unini River Reserve, reinforcing the perception of the community and fishermen. This suggests that when management plans are developed with the involvement of the local community, they present potential to restore ecosystems.

Editorial: Freshwater sustainability and aquatic ecology in a fast-changing world

“…In two related opinion pieces, Camargo & Amorim (2020) contend that fish farming in cages should be restricted in Brazil, whereas Henry-Silva et al (2019) discuss practices and conditions that can affect the sustainability of fish farming in cages of reservoirs in Brazil's semiarid region. Finally, running counter to these papers on non-native species, Santana et al (2020) discuss how the engagement of local human communities in sustainable management plans can balance capture and conservation of ecologically, culturally, and economically important fish's species such as the pirarucu (Arapaima gigas).…”

Production of nutrient-rich foods for carnivorous animals: a sustainable approach using Amazonian by-products of fishing and fishing processing

“…The importance of Pirarucu in the Amazon region is multifaceted. Firstly, it is a valuable source of food for riverside communities in the Amazon, providing high-quality proteins in its meat (Santana et al, 2020). Additionally, Pirarucu plays a crucial ecological role in maintaining the aquatic ecosystems of the Amazon (Castello, 2008).…”