The decline of fisheries on the Madeira River, Brazil: The high cost of the hydroelectric dams in the Amazon Basin

Abstract

Despite being considered beneficial by providing a clean and renewable source of energy, the construction of hydroelectric dams has extremely negative implications for Amazonian fisheries. This study investigated the impacts of the Santo Antônio and Jirau hydroelectric dams on the fishery stocks of the Madeira River. This investigation was based on fish catch data from the Z‐31 fishing colony, located in the municipality of Humaitá, in Amazonas State, Northern Brazil. Data were collected daily and provided information on the date of return from each trip, the fish species targeted, and the total catch (kg) between January 2002 and September 2017. The results indicated reductions of 39% in the mean annual catch and 34% in the mean monthly catches. These results highlight the high price paid by local fish communities for the development of hydroelectric power in the Amazon basin.

FISHING PRODUCTION OF <i>Pinirampus pirinampu</i> AND <i>Brachyplatystoma platynemum</i> CATFISH HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY LARGE DAMS OF THE MADEIRA RIVER (BRAZILIAN AMAZON)

“…Recent records indicate a decrease in the amount of fish able to cross these barrages (Hauser et al, 2019), which is reflected in the decrease seen in records of fish production reported in the fishery landing sites, especially in upstream regions of these enterprises (Damme et al, 2019). This has been a direct source of harm to small-scale fisheries, which are traditionally responsible for maintaining the supply of animal protein in the riverine communities of the study area (Fearnside, 2013;Lima et al, 2017;Santos et al, 2018).…”

Weak Democracies, Failed Policies, and the Demise of Ecosystems in Poor and Developing Nations

“…Moreover, the loss of ecosystems and biodiversity has progressively impacted economic activities and well-being. They arise from poor sanitation conditions; the spread of diseases and pests; noxious invasive species; pollution; accumulation of wastes and contaminants; or the loss of extractive and touristic resources, freshwater, and arable land (e.g., Agostinho, Thomaz, & Gomes, 2005;Lima Junior, Magalhães, & Vitule, 2015;Martinelli et al, 2010;Santos, Pinto-Coelho, Fonseca, Simões, & Zanchi, 2018). In addition, the persistence of bad political behavior led the country to the deepest administrative crisis since 1989 (redemocratization), which included the impeachment of the president in 2016, escalating sociopolitical conflicts, and authorities sentenced to prison.…”

A Modeling Assessment of Large-Scale Hydrologic Alteration in South American Pantanal Due to Upstream Dam Operation

“…While in North America and Europe most dams have been constructed before the second half of the XX century, in countries with emerging economies the pace of dam construction is still high (Zarfl et al, 2015;Winemiller et al, 2016). In South America, for example, new hydropower dams are being constructed and planned in regions within and around the Amazon basin, leading to considerable concerns about the possible environmental consequences (Finer and Jenkins, 2012;Tundisi et al, 2014;Pavanato et al, 2016;Forsberg et al, 2017;Latrubesse et al, 2017;Timpe and Kaplan, 2017;Anderson et al, 2018;Fraser, 2018;Santos et al, 2018). Only in the Brazilian Amazon, over 200 new hydropower dams are predicted to be constructed in the next 30 years (Timpe and Kaplan, 2017).…”