The director of environmental inspection at the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), Johnatan Santos, stated in an interview with TV Brasilthat the drought intensified by climate change has favored the intensification of illegal hunting and fishing of Amazonian species threatened with extinction.
“Due to the low water levels, viewing becomes easier for criminals who are able to capture the animals quickly,” he says.
The statement was made after the seizure of an Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) shot on the banks of the Tefé River, in the state of Amazonas, last Tuesday (27).
The operation promoted by the environmental agency also seized 422 kg of arapaima meat (Arapaima gigas) that was being sold at the Tefé Municipal Fair, without proof of origin of authorized management.
According to Santos, the intensification of predatory action represents a threat of effective extinction of these animals in the medium and long term.
“If the manatee becomes extinct, it will cause a huge imbalance in the aquatic ecosystem. Since the manatee has [seu papel na] food chain”, he explains.
The crimes were reported by non-governmental organizations and the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) unit that operates in the region and, according to Ibama, has already resulted in the application of R$12,000 in fines.
“Ibama monitors the rivers together with other agencies, monitoring water quality, temperature and receiving information on the flow of these rivers. Furthermore, of course, carrying out inspections of actions that could worsen the situation, not only of water levels, but mainly of aquatic fauna and illegal mining that has modified the course of the rivers where they operate”, explains Santos.
The work of inspection bodies has shown that offenders use mesh fishing nets, harpoons, hammers and even firearms in illegal hunting and fishing. Afterwards, the meat from these animals is taken to be cut in places without sanitary authorization, to be made available in commerce.
“Ibama has carried out inspection actions at strategic points where there is a greater number of hunts and risks to the life balance of these animals”, says the director.
According to Santos, due to the size of the Amazon Basin, it is necessary for it to rain again throughout the region, so that the rivers recover their water volume and overcome the historical minimum observed in several regions of the Amazon.
“We hope that from the end of October the rain will arrive and the rivers will be able to return to their normal levels”, concludes Santos.
