What's happened
In Brazil's Amazonas state, nearly 6,000 authorized fishers report significant declines in pirarucu catches and rising operational costs due to climate change. The fishing season, running from June to November, has been severely impacted by low water levels, prompting calls for federal aid and an extension of the fishing season.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Independent, nearly 6,000 riverine dwellers in Brazil's Amazonas state are facing a sharp decline in pirarucu production, with last year's catch totaling only 70% of the authorized quota. The South China Morning Post echoes this concern, noting that many communities have yet to fish this season due to low water levels, which complicates transportation of catches. Researcher Adalberto Luis Val from the National Institute for Amazonian Research warns that rising temperatures and drought exacerbate conditions for the pirarucu, stating, 'No fish can regulate body temperature.' This highlights the urgent need for federal aid and adaptation strategies for local communities reliant on this vital resource.
How we got here
Pirarucu fishing has been managed in the Amazon for 25 years, helping to prevent the species' extinction. However, climate change has led to severe droughts, affecting water levels and making fishing increasingly difficult for local communities reliant on this income source.
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Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At 8.5 million square kilometers and with over 211 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area and the sixth most