Brazil Authorizes Pirarucu Cull Outside Amazon Basin
Why this is here: The agency’s decision to authorize the slaughter of pirarucu highlights the growing concern over invasive species and their impact on native aquatic ecosystems in Brazil.
Brazil’s environmental agency, Ibama, declared the pirarucu fish an invasive exotic species when found outside its natural Amazon River habitat. The agency issued a directive allowing unlimited capture, fishing, and slaughter of the fish in several regions including the Northeast, Southeast, and South.
Ibama recognizes the environmental harm caused by pirarucu in these areas. The new rule prohibits returning captured pirarucu to the water, requiring all caught fish to be killed for population control.
The directive limits sales of pirarucu products to within the originating state. It also encourages donating the fish meat to public programs like school lunches and food security initiatives. States and municipalities can support control efforts, including sport fishing, but catch and release is not permitted.