Is the small-scale aquaculture of lambari Deuterodon iguape (Eigenmann 1907) for live bait in recirculating systems economically profitable?

Abstract

The Atlantic forest lambari Deuterodon iguape caught in the rivers of the coast of southeastern Brazil is sold as live bait and is destined for sport fishing. As an alternative to exploitation of natural stocks, the development of cultivation in water conventional and alternative (low-cost) recirculation systems was evaluated. The growth parameters were obtained using the von Bertalanffy model (VBGF) based on the length (mm) and age (biweekly = every two weeks) data, for four months, in three production cycles. Adjustments were made in the R environment using the nonlinear least squares method. The VBGF growth model presented an adequate adjustment, considered satisfactory, for the alternative system, with L∞ = 95.31 mm and k = 0.13, which in both survival conditions (95% and 90%) tested provided similar productivity and growth parameters to the conventional system and, consequently, economically more attractive values than those of the conventional system. The Internal Rates of Return (IRR) obtained were always higher than the minimum rate of attractiveness, set at 6%, varying from 23.94% in the worst-case scenario (with a survival rate of 90% and a marketing value of US$ 0.10) to 88.75%, in the best scenario (with a 95% survival rate and a commercial value of US$ 0.14). It is concluded that the low-cost alternative systemis technically and economically viable and can be adopted by small producers and artisanal fishermen, generating income with the supply of live baits for the sport fishing market.