Hello pleco friends,
Since a few weeks is in the background there is the information that the following catfish species may no longer be exported from Brazil:
Export ban for plecos
- Scobinancistrus aureatus (L 14) Rio Xingú
- Baryancistrus niveatus (L 26) Rio Tocantins, Rio Araguaia
- Parancistrus nudiventris (L 31 / LDA 4) Rio Xingú
- Scobinancistrus pariolispos (L 133) Rio Tocantins
- Peckoltia compta (L 134) Rio Typajos, Rio Jamanxim
- Ancistomus snethlageae (L 141/L 215) Rio Tapajós
- Leporacanthicus joselimai (L 264) Rio Tapajós (Para)
The background: a list of endangered species
The background is that the IBAMA has created a new list of endangered species in December, 2014. This was above mentioned species listed as endangered. That would be this list: : PORTARIA MMA Nº 445, DE 17 DE DEZEMBRO DE 2014, the shortenings used there corresponds to the definitions of IUCN Red List.
The list was first exposed because a significant negative impact on fisheries (food) and ornamental fish trade were feared. Now, in a short time the IBAMA realized this list to the 1st July 2016, with above-mentioned consequences for exporting Loricariidae.
Contradiction
If you look to the concrete species above, seems the list incomprehensible.
Obvious it would have been so, wanting to protect the fishes from Rio Xingu and ever precaution the fishes from the Rio Tapajós. But Baryancistrus niveatus and Scobinancistrus pariolispos are fishes from Rio Tocantins/Rio Araguaia?
This may be related to that one has partially tried the “fish problems of Belo Monte” to equalize in this way, that you have similar types of Xingú with these set equal. But that also says that distinction is necessary.
The distribution areas of Ancistomus snethlageae and Scobinancistrus aureatus are very large, not only Rio Tapajós and Rio Xingú. For example, think to Ancistomus cf. snethlageae “L 161” and Ancistomus cf. snethlageae “L 358”.
Furthermore it considers in Brazil the view that this disposal of IBAMA is illegal, because the creation and enforcement does not meet the legal requirements.
In Brazil the exporters are trying through the authorities, but also trough legal means a (partial) cancellation of this export ban. This will need time.
The “planed monster of Rio Tapajós” is (hopefully permanently) cancelt.
The positive list of Brazil from 2012 is still valid.
What will happento the positive list whis is in progress … we’ll see.
Summmary
The export ban above-mentioned species raises many questions and also seems not legally durable. The exporters are fighting for a cancelation of this.
In the next month this species will not export legal to Europa. But especially for widespread species or species that do not come from the Rio Xingu, it can certainly be confident.
Supplement:
Look also: CSG Journal 3/2016 (Wels-Presseschau)
Supplement 17.09.2017:
Even though I do not have any detailed information from Brazil, it is obvious that on the Brazilian stocklists there are now some species of catfishes which can be exported again:
- Scobinancistrus aureatus (L 14) Rio Xingú
- Parancistrus nudiventris (L 31 / LDA 4) Rio Xingú
- Peckoltia compta (L 134) Rio Typajos, Rio Jamanxim
- Leporacanthicus joselimai (L 264) Rio Tapajós (Para)