Economic impacts on the management of arapaima gigas (pirarucus) in protected areas in the central amazon of Brazil

Objective: to analyze basic aspects of the management of Arapaima gigas (pirarucus) in seven Protected Areas and to evaluate the impact of the change in the legislation of the minimum capture size on the gross revenue of the Management Units in the State of Amazonas, Brazil. Material and Methods: the study was carried out in nine Pirarucu Management Units (UMP), linked to seven Protected Areas in the State of Amazonas, four of them Sustainable Development Reserves (RDS), Extractive Reserve (RESEX), Indigenous Land (TI) and a fisheries agreement (AP). Data collection occurred in the catches of Arapaima gigas, in the period corresponding to 4 years, and their respective weights were measured, by size classes. Results: The sum of Arapaima gigas (pirarucus) totaled 29,245 specimens. Of this total, the majority (49%) were captured in the third year of the survey. The quantities collected in the first year (22%) and in the second year (28%) were similar. The weight totaled 1,572.96 tons, with 50% of this total collected in the third year of the survey. The tonnages produced in the first and second surveys were also similar. The gross revenue resulting from the sale of Arapaima gigas, in the period of 4 years, was R$ 8,651,302.00 (eight million six hundred and fifty-one thousand three hundred and two reais), 91% of which came from four UMP, located in the Middle Rio Solimões region. Conclusions: the results of this study can contribute to the improvement of participatory regulatory frameworks, which strengthen the control instruments over the management of Arapaima gigas (pirarucu) and the management of protected areas in the State of Amazonas, Brazil.