Abstract
BackgroundConsumption of turtles by natives and settlers in the Amazon and Orinoco has been widely studied in scientific communities. Accepted cultural customs and the local dietary and monetary needs need to be taken into account in conservation programs, and when implementing federal laws related to consumption and fishing methods. This study was conducted around the Purus River, a region known for the consumption and illegal trade of turtles. The objective of this study was to quantify the illegal turtle trade in Tapauá and to understand its effect on the local economy.MethodsThis study was conducted in the municipality of Tapauá in the state of Amazonas, Brazil. To estimate turtle consumption, interviews were conducted over 2 consecutive years (2006 and 2007) in urban areas and isolated communities. The experimental design was randomized with respect to type of household. To study the turtle fishery and trade chain, we used snowball sampling methodology.ResultsDuring our study period, 100% of respondents reported consuming at least three species of turtles (Podocnemis spp.). Our estimates indicate that about 34 tons of animals are consumed annually in Tapauá along the margins of a major fishing river in the Amazon. At least five components related to the chain of commercialization of turtles on the Purus River are identified: Indigenous Apurinã and (2) residents of bordering villages (communities); (3) of local smugglers buy and sell turtles to the community in exchange for manufactured goods, and (4) regional smugglers buy in Tapauá, Lábrea, and Beruri to sell in Manaus and Manacapuru; Finally, (5) there are professional fishermen.ConclusionsWe quantify the full impact of turtle consumption and advocate the conservation of the region’s turtle populations. The Brazilian government should initiate a new turtle consumption management program which involves the opinions of consumers. With these measures the conservation of freshwater turtles in the Brazilian Amazon, is possible.
Highlights
Consumption of turtles by natives and settlers in the Amazon and Orinoco has been widely studied in scientific communities
The aim of this study was to quantify the illegal trade of turtles in Tapauá and understand its impact on the local economy based on two components: (a) domestic consumption, and (b) the turtle marketing chain in the middle Purus River
We developed a model of the supply chain with key components identified in the following categories: (a) free-narrative interviews with three regional fishermen on boats in the Purus River lines with cargo of a capacity between 50 and 100 tons, (b) interviews with four turtle artisan fishermen, (c) interviews with 196 residents of urban areas and 29 of rural areas, (d) the recorded seizures [27,28], (e) research in the Abufari reproductive area; (f ) study of the resource use and turtle ecology in the Abufari area, and (g) experimental fisheries
Summary
Consumption of turtles by natives and settlers in the Amazon and Orinoco has been widely studied in scientific communities. This study was conducted around the Purus River, a region known for the consumption and illegal trade of turtles. The consumption of turtles by natives and settlers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins today [2,3], and historically during the pre-Columbian period [4], has been investigated by many researchers from different scientific communities. Egg collection is believed to have led to the extinction of this species in the upper Amazon region [7,8]. This dietary intake of meat and eggs remains clandestine, providing food and family income. The taboo certainly represents an important informal mechanism that could be more effective in conservation than other top-down initiatives [18,19]
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