Brazilian fish farms adopt excavated pond tech and GIS risk mapping to boost production

Brazil's aquaculture sector continues to grow, reaching about 968 000 tonnes of farmed fish in 2024, with excavated ponds becoming the primary system for small and medium producers. The state of Tocantins contributed roughly 18.1 k tonnes, highlighting the role of family‑run operations. Researchers from Embrapa emphasize that excavated ponds allow flexible intensification—from extensive, low‑feed models to fully intensive, high‑density systems—while precise feed management and biometric monitoring improve profitability; one farmer noted, “É muito importante o produtor saber quantos peixes ele tem no viveiro.”

A separate study by Embrapa and Italy's IZSVe introduced a GIS‑based protocol to map water connectivity among fish farms within a watershed, identifying high, medium and low disease‑risk zones. Focusing on the acantocéphalo parasite that affects tambaqui, the model predicts how pathogens travel downstream or upstream, offering an early‑warning tool for sanitary surveillance. The research also highlighted gaps in official sanitary data, underscoring the need for better information sharing to protect farm profitability and fish health.