The decision by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources to classify the arapaima (Arapaima gigas) as an invasive exotic species outside its natural range provoked a strong reaction in Brazilian fish farming. The measure was formalized through Normative Instruction No. 7/2026 and already raises concerns about direct impacts on production, investments and legal security in the sector.
Considered one of the most promising species in national aquaculture, arapaima has consolidated production in different states and high potential for expansion, both domestically and abroad. According to data from IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), in 2024, Brazilian production totaled 1.7 million kilos, with emphasis on the state of Rondôniathe largest producer in Brazil, followed by Pará and Amazonas. In total, there are 3,185 establishments involved in the production of freshwater fish.
With the new classification, producers fear restrictions on the creation and sale of fish outside the Amazon region, which could compromise production plans and new contributions to the segment.
The decision also surprised agents in the production chain, as the topic was still under discussion within the scope of the National Biodiversity Commission. For representatives of the sector, there was an oversight in the process and a lack of institutional alignment.
President of Peixe BR, Brazilian Fish Farming Association, Francisco Medeiros states that the measure creates insecurity and contradictions in public policies. “The decision causes great concern, especially due to the lack of dialogue on such a sensitive topic. Arapaima is strategic for Brazilian fish farming, with strong potential for income generation and regional development”, he says.
According to Medeiros, the sector had already participated in technical discussions and had presented studies, with the support of research institutions, defending the need for in-depth analysis before making any decision. Even so, the regulations were published before the debate concluded.
Another point raised by the entity is what it calls the “regulatory paradox”. According to the president of Peixe BR, the government itself, in recent years, encouraged the production of pirarucu as an economic alternative for several regions. Now, the new rule may restrict this activity.
“Arapaima is not an exotic species, it is a Brazilian fish. Classifying it in this way outside the Amazon creates a conceptual and legal distortion”, argues Medeiros. He compares the situation to treating a Brazilian from another region as a foreigner, highlighting that, technically, the fish would only be considered non-native to certain basins, and not exotic.
Legal uncertainty
The sector’s concern goes beyond pirarucu. For producers, the measure sets a precedent for other widely cultivated species, such as tilapia and tambaqui, to also be subject to future restrictions, expanding the scenario of regulatory uncertainty.
Data from official bodies such as IBGE indicate that pirarucu is already part of aquaculture production in different regions of the country. Furthermore, it is a fish with high productive performance — reaching around 15 kilos in a year — and strong commercial appeal, being considered one of the main candidates for expanding Brazil’s presence in the international fish market.
Another point of tension involves Ibama’s own actions. According to sector representatives, the agency has already included the arapaima in lists of threatened species in certain contexts, which contrasts with the current guidance that could lead to the slaughter of animals outside the Amazon region.
Given the scenario, Peixe BR defends the revision of the regulations and demands greater participation from the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture in defending the activity. The entity also reinforces the need for joint construction of public policies, based on technical criteria and regulatory predictability.
“The main consequence today is legal uncertainty. This affects not only pirarucu, but all Brazilian fish farming. Producers need stability to invest”, concludes Medeiros.
The discussion should gain new chapters in the coming weeks, with expectations of a reevaluation of the measure and intensification of dialogue between the government and the productive sector.
