Giants of the Rivers
The Arapaima (Arapaima gigas) is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. Known by its local name, Pirarucu (Brazil) or Paiche (Peru), it is native to the Amazon basin, where it brings benefits to both the forest ecosystem and local fishing communities.
Arapaima grow up to 3 meters long and may weigh between 150 and 250 kg.
The species inhabits lakes and tributary rivers. The Arapaima is omnivorous and can feed on plants and animals of all sorts.
Guardians of the Amazon
Traditional, local and indigenous communities have always been deeply connected to the Amazon rainforest, which provides for food and livelihoods.
This is specifically true for the Arapaima, which is a key species to the forest ecosystem and local riverine economies.
The community-based fisheries management ensures healthy stocks of this iconic fish, safeguards food sovereignty and income of communities, and promotes the conservation of biodiversity in the Amazon.
Fisheries Management
Once overexploited and threatened with extinction, today in managed areas, stocks of Arapaima are thriving and contribute to the continuous rebuilding of biomass across the Amazon and its tributaries.
The fundamental basis of this success story is a unique community-based fisheries management plan, which has been developed by scientists and is implemented under a co-management model by participating communities and local authorities.
Fair Trade
The Taste of Amazon program empowers traditional river communities as active stewards and guardians of the Amazon rainforest.
The establishment of fully transparent and socially-inclusive supply chains is of essential importance for the program’s ability to create robust and reliable incentives for local communities to participate in the conservation program.
The Fair Trade certification program acknowledges the inclusive nature of the conservation program and creates additional benefits and price premiums for participating communities.
Conservation & Biodiversity
As an ecosystem, the Amazon is one of the most biodiverse places on earth. Over 3 million species live in the rainforest, and more than 2500 tree species help to create and sustain this vibrant ecosystem.
The Taste of Amazon program not only maintains the fragile ecosystem of the rainforest in the managed areas, but specifically protects endangered key-stone species such as the Giant Amazon River Turtle, the Giant Amazon Fish Otter and the Amazon River Dolphin.
Climate Change & Green Carbon
The Amazon is an area of outstanding natural value, and an important tool in the fight against climate change. It not only hosts 10 % of global biodiversity but acts as huge carbon storage and fuels global rainfall patterns.
The communities of the Amazon are an important ally in fighting climate change: The Taste of Amazon program enables communities to preserve huge areas of pristine rainforest, thus making sure that more than 2.1 billion tons of carbon remain stored in the forest and its soil.
Project Location in the Amazon
What started in 1999 as a pilot project for the conservation of the Arapaima, today encompasses a network of more than 280 communities accross four major rivers and tributaries to the Amazon.
The Taste of Amazon conservation area covers more than 150’000 km² of pristine rainforest, corresponding to about three times the surface of Costa Rica.