The Future of the Value Chain of the Pirarucu in the Brazilian Amazon

The Amazon biome, the world’s largest tropical forest, faces challenges in biodiversity preservation, climate change mitigation, food security, and reducing inequalities. With the global population projected to reach nine billion by 2037, strategies reconciling forest preservation, climate change, and food security are crucial. The natural wealth of the Brazilian Amazon and indigenous knowledge present an opportunity to improve the quality of life in the region. However, despite the sparse population density, most municipalities in the Amazon have low human development levels. The Arapaima gigas, known as pirarucu or paiche, is vital for local communities, biodiversity, and has market potential as a protein source. Past policies aimed at commercial fishing led to overfishing, prompting efforts to protect the pirarucu population. This chapter maps two strategies for pirarucu exploitation: chain of management and fish culture. It explores challenges considering economic, social, and environmental dimensions aligned with the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Stakeholder collaboration among producers, fishermen, communities, and public/private sectors is crucial for structuring these chains, fostering social, environmental, and economic development. This collaboration drives a sustainable bioeconomy in the Amazon, addressing the challenges of the twenty-first century.