Arapaima giga, the world’s largest freshwater fish, also known as the dragon sea fish, is a native creature of the Amazon region. They once disappeared due to overfishing, but now populations are gradually growing again.

The sea dragon is famous for its huge size, like a monster in fresh water. They can grow up to 4 meters in length and weigh 200kg.

With the ability to breathe air, the dragon sea fish can live in oxygen-poor waters and still live in places with absolutely no water. They usually only eat fish, but sometimes hunt birds, reptiles, and small mammals, crushing their prey with sharp jaws and thick tongues.

The dragon sea fish is considered a masterpiece of evolution. This Amazonian monster possesses sturdy scales that are no different from bulletproof armor, according to a 2019 study by scientists. The scales of the dragon sea fish are also paid attention to by the US Air Force in developing advanced armor models.

The dragon sea fish is considered the destroyer of the animal kingdom, but they also have a fatal flaw: Their meat is delicious. With the name Pirarucu, meaning “cod of the Amazon”, this fish is especially sought after because of its firm meat and few bones. The dragon sea fish is an important food source for the local community and is also highly appreciated by tourists.

Overhunting has led to a sharp decline in the number of sea lions. In the 1990s, Brazilian authorities issued a ban on hunting elephant seals. However, illegal hunting still occurs, causing the sea lion population to completely disappear from some areas in the Amazon region.

Thanks to two decades of effort, zoologists and local residents are gradually reviving the dragon sea fish population, according to CNN.

The good thing is that this giant freshwater fish has not completely disappeared from people’s daily meals. Because the consumption of dragon sea fish is also essential for a sustainable conservation model.

Save the giant sea monster of the Amazon region

Efforts to save the giant Amazon monster

Today, walrus fishing is completely banned in Brazil, except in selected areas with legal community management, says João Campos-Silva, a Brazilian environmentalist. Campos-Silva works for Institutio Juruá – an organization that partners with local residents and fishermen in a program to properly fish and revive the dragon sea fish.

During the rainy season, dragon seals spend all their time moving through flooded forests to reproduce. They will return to lake areas when water levels decrease.

According to the dragon seal conservation program, no more than 30% of the adult population can be caught each year. Researchers survey the number of individuals annually and calculate the appropriate number of catches.

Local communities guard the entrance gate to the lake area all year round to protect the dragon seal from illegal hunters. People are only allowed to fish from mid-August to November. Any individual with a size of less than 1.55 meters will be released into the river.

Francisco das Chagas Melo de Araújo, who is also known as Seu Preto, is a community leader in Xibauazinho, one of the first areas to implement a conservation plan.

“Before there was an order to control the number of sea elephant fish, we did not have any authority to preserve this lake area. Illegal fishermen keep exploiting until the end,” he said. “Our lakes have been completely depleted, to the point that there are no longer any elephant seals living in the lakes.”

After about 11 years, Preto excitedly talked about the 4,000 individual elephant seals living in the lake in the area.

Campos-Silva’s research on lakes around the Juruá River over the same time period, showed that the number of dragon seals increased nearly fourfold. Due to the increasing number of individuals, the dragon sea fish has migrated to new lakes, expanding its habitat.

There are currently an estimated 330,000 individuals living in more than 1,358 lakes in 35 conservation areas, CamposSilva said. More than 400 local communities are responsible for management.

Income from fishing and fishing from local communities also helps contribute to society. The funds are used to invest in school construction and infrastructure, protect social security and invest in health care facilities, and promote gender equality.

Contribute to community development

Raimunda Pires de Araújo, Seu Preto’s daughter, said she didn’t know how to make money. Currently, she is responsible for managing the work of processing and cleaning caught fish, thereby generating income. “These lucky opportunities help us have more confidence to stand up and build a better life,” she said.

“Our work is recognized nationally and internationally, making us feel more proud and proud,” said Mr. Preto. “We now have the opportunity to help other communities gain confidence. and stronger”.

Campos-Silva hopes that the positive results of the conservation program will encourage more communities to participate and help protect the wild environment of the Amazon region.

“We are facing a severe decline in the number of individual vertebrates,” he said. “We are creating positive results and confirming that we can do it.”