Tambaqui fish classified as vulnerable species in Amazon

The tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum), a widely consumed fish in the Amazon, has been officially classified as a vulnerable species. This designation by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change follows projections of a 43.4% global population decline over three generations.

Local artisanal fishermen face potential economic hardship, as fishing for the species could be prohibited nationwide starting in late October if a population recovery plan is not implemented. Braulio Dias, a director at the Ministry of Environment, noted that inclusion on the list does not automatically mean a ban, provided that experts coordinate and approve a recovery plan.

The tambaqui is naturally found in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins, spanning territories in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. Along with the tambaqui, the peroá was also included in a list of 490 threatened aquatic species, drawing criticism from the fishing industry regarding the impact on livelihoods.