October 15, 2021

10:10

Rômulo D’Castro – from Cenarium

PARÁ – The Acari-zebra, also called Cascudo-zebra, is threatened with extinction and runs a serious risk of disappearing from the only place where it can be found in nature: the Xingu River, in the southwest of Pará. It measures less than 15 centimeters, but, because of its exotic appearance and because it is extremely rare, it can cost two thousand dollars (about R$10 thousand).

The warning comes from environmentalists who have been researching the species’ behavior for years, such as the professor of Biology responsible for the Xingu Laboratory of Ornamental Fish Aquaculture (Laquax) Leandro Sousa. In an article published in the magazine Global Ecology and Conservation, the professor from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA) and three other researchers point out that “by several criteria, the species is classified as critically endangered and, consequently, its capture and commercialization is prohibited”.

The available study verified that the Acari-zebra is a species peculiar to this part of Pará and is concentrated in a restricted area, mainly in the Volta Grande do Xingu, affected by the construction of Belo Monte, the largest hydroelectric plant in the country.

Xingu on the international trafficking route

For biologist Rodolfo Salm, “besides causing environmental impacts, Belo Monte has awakened the attention of traffickers who have turned their eyes to a rich and vulnerable fauna, with unique species, such as the Acari-zebra. He also warns. “When you have international trafficking, which is a new pressure on the population of these fish, you have a new threat on top of the one created by Belo Monte”, concludes the professor.

The numbers reflect the concern of researchers. According to the Federal Police of Pará, in August alone, 734 specimens of Acari-zebra were seized in two operations. Two women and a man were arrested with the fish in plastic bags hidden in suitcases. The fish left Altamira, in Pará, and would have Manaus, capital of Amazonas, as their first stop. From there, according to the Federal Police, the animals would be destined for other Brazilian states and even European countries, besides China, where the Acari-zebra is considered a luxurious decoration item.

In early 2021, federal police carried out another large seizure in Altamira, in a house that functioned as an aquarium and distribution center. According to the Federal Police, “more than ten people shared the activities of capture, storage, national sales, and exports to other countries. The gang was also responsible for commanding the network of direct sales to other Brazilian states, which took the species to countries in Asia.

In the mapping done by the Federal Police it was possible to see how the criminals acted. First they made contact with the people living on the banks of the Volta Grande do Xingu, who were responsible for the capture. The river dwellers themselves would deliver the “package” to the house where the animals were stored. Finally, the contact with dealers in other Brazilian states allowed access to buyers outside Brazil.

Million-dollar crime and weak law

There is no way to determine the size of the impact with the illegal commercialization of Acari-zebra, but the Federal Police believes that only in the period from December 2020 to August this year, international trafficking moved more than R$ 2 million dollars (more than R$ 10 million). With the operations it was also possible to observe that, because of inadequate storage, many ended up dying before even reaching the Altamira airport, through which criminals were trying to board.

Punishments

Trafficking in wild or endangered animals, such as the Acari-zebra, is a crime punishable by fines stipulated by Justice, in addition to imprisonment, but the law is lenient and facilitates the action of traffickers, as explained by the lawyer Joaquim Neto. “Currently, the penalty ranges from six months to one year of detention, which means that it is a crime of less offensive potential and that, in practice, there is no prison” .

A project authored by federal lawmaker Alberto Neto (Republicans-AM) intends to increase the prison time to three to eight years. The document would make the punishments for perpetrators of environmental crimes tougher, changing the current law and making it possible, for example, to be caught in the act.

Company’s position

In a statement, Norte Energia, the company responsible for Belo Monte, said that “holds actions for monitoring and conservation of ornamental fish, including the Acari-zebra, a species historically pressured by exploitation and illegal trade”.

The company emphasizes that “such actions are carried out through an agreement with the Federal University of Pará (UFPA)”, and also guarantees that it has financed a project for the reproduction of Acari-zebra in captivity.