ANALYSIS OF THE ORNAMENTAL FISH EXPORTS FROM THE AMAZON STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract

The updated status of the ornamental fish trade from the Amazonas state was analyzed between the years of 2006-2015 (IBAMA database). The trade of ornamental fish from Amazonas State mainly consists of wild species. A total of 142,552,253 specimens were exported during the studied period. Sales plummeted since 2006 from 26,075,241 specimens exported to 2,729,846 specimens in 2015 (Jan-Jul). Between 2006 and 2015, a total of US$ 23.0 million in revenue was generated from fish exports destined to 35 countries. Germany, Taiwan, USA and Japan accounted for 75.5% of the volume and 76.7% of the value exported. During this time 375 species were exported, included Paracheirodon axelrodi, P. simulans, Hemigrammus bleheri, Otociclus affinis and O. hoppei that together represented 84.5% of exports. Thirty of them are not on the list of Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources IBAMA species released for export, and six are currently on the list of endangered fauna of Brazil: Hopliancistrus tricornis, Leporacanthicus joselimai, Parancistrus nudiventris, Peckoltia compta, Scobinancistrus auratus and S. pariolispos. The collection of this information can help producers, managers and environmentalists in the elaboration of the political policies to establish regulations to govern the trade.