IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

PIRARUCU

7th November, 2022 Environment

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Context: Due to the conservation efforts Pirarucu, also known as arapaima has returned to the lakes of the Medio Jurua in Brazil.

 

Details:

  • It can weigh up to 200 kilos (440 pounds), by far the largest of 2,300 known fish species in the Amazon.
  • It is found primarily in floodplain lakes across the Amazon basin, including the region of Medio Jurua.
  • It is one of the few fish species in the world that surfaces to breathe. It does that with a big splash, flashing its red tail out of the water.
  • The giant fish not so long ago nearly vanished from Jurua, due to unregulated fishing.
  • The illegal and unsustainable fishing left river and Indigenous communities struggling to catch their staple food.

https://epaper.indianexpress.com/c/70766450