Brasília, June 21, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - Freshwater fish species such as tambaqui, tucunaré (peacock bass), pintado (spotted sorubim), and pacu should consolidate their status on Brazil's list of export products. Through the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex), the federal government is starting to invest US$ 640 million (R$ 2 million) to stimulate production of these species. The goal is to raise annual exports from their current level of 33 thousand tons to 50 thousand tons by the end of 2005.

According to Guilherme Crispim, General Coordinator of Commercialization and Marketing in the Special Secretariat of Aquiculture and Fishing (Seap), Brazil already exports these species to Germany, England, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Eastern European countries. The aim is to place these products on the American market, beginning in the second half of this year.

The Middle East is also included in the export program. And, in August, Minister José Fritsch, of the Seap, plans to travel to China with a delegation of entrepreneurs to publicize these products. The Secretariat hopes to penetrate the Chinese and Japanese markets in 2005.

According to Crispim, the prospects are encouraging. "Our potential for freshwater fish production is the largest in the world. We possess 16% of the world's supply of water that can be used for aquiculture; that's a lot of water and a lot of fish," he affirmed.

The export incentive should not constitute a threat to the environment. According to Crispim, the government will impose barriers on large producers, only allowing fish bred in captivity to be used in the export program. An exception will be made for traditional fishermen.

Reporter: Caio d´Arcanchy
Translator: David Silberstein