Small fish farmers from the Par\u00e1 state are preparing to increase production of one of the most famous fish in Northern Brazil, and plan on exporting to the Middle Eastern countries. S\u00e3o Paulo \u2013 The intention is to lay one of the most famed representatives of Northern Brazilian cuisine on tables around the world. And that includes the best restaurants and supermarkets in the Middle East. In order to achieve the goal, 12 fish farmers from the state of Par\u00e1 have decided to join project Arapaima Farming in Northeastern Par\u00e1, implemented by the local Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), and under which they will receive consultancy to improve and organize their production. The effort should start bearing fruit, or better yet fish, starting next year. The programme comprises entrepreneurs from the cities of Bragan\u00e7a, Capit\u00e3o Po\u00e7o, Salin\u00f3polis, Santa Luzia do Par\u00e1, and S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Pirabas, all in Par\u00e1.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe proposal is to strengthen arapaima fishing in the region, as it was mostly made for local consumption thus far,\u201d explains the project manager of the Sebrae Par\u00e1, Keyla Reis de Oliveira. \u201cWe are going to start by the markets of the municipalities themselves, then the national market, and then on to foreign countries,\u201d she says. The Sebrae\u2019s analyst claims that the project will start out by environmental issues, such as obtaining licensing in order to carry out the activity. Next up, it will encourage fish farmers to organize and exchange experiences.<\/p>\n
According to Keyla, demand for the arapaima has increased even further after it was in danger of extinction, leading to the establishment, by the Brazilian Environment and Renewable Natural Resource Institute (Ibama), of a six-month period during which fishing is prohibited every year, to protect the species. \u201cPresently, one kilogram of arapaima fish sells for 30 Brazilian reals (US$ ) at the market, and up to 50 reals (US$ ) in supermarkets,\u201d she says. \u201cIt is a fish variety with lots of foreign sales potential, and that includes the Arab countries,\u201d she asserts. <\/p>\n
Farmer and researcher Emir Palmeira Imbiriba, a participant in the project, explains that the main obstacle is promoting the species\u2019 reproduction. \u201cWe cannot separate males from females just by looking. Moreover, the arapaima is monogamous, it needs a steady partner to breed,\u201d he says. Thus being, the well-behaved little fish require a certain amount of hard work before they start spawning offspring, a difficulty that is made up for later on. \u201cOnce that first obstacle has been transposed, fattening is guaranteed. It suffices to say that 10 tonnes of arapaimas are produced per hectare\/year in Par\u00e1, as against just one bull per hectare\/year,\u201d says Emir. <\/p>\n
A champion of the Northern delicacy, he explains that the arapaima has no bones and that 57% of its weight consists of meat, as against 45% on average for most fish. \u201cI am certain that the Arabs would love it,\u201d says Emir, anxious for the day when he will supply Middle Eastern tables with the species that he now breeds in captivity, in the municipality of Salin\u00f3polis, 200 kilometres away from the capital of Par\u00e1, Bel\u00e9m.<\/p>\n
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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