Caracterização socio-ambiental da piscicultura em tanques-rede no município de Guapé

Abstract

Fish farming is currently the form of food production that grows most rapidly in the world. In Brazil, fish consumption is still low; only 10% of the population consumes fish. The country presents a great potential for the development of fish farming, especially in the Furnas region, in the State of Minas Gerais. In the search for new economical alternatives, fish farming has already become a reality in this region. The effects of this activity deserve attention to ensure its improvement and enable its exploration. This study aims at characterizing the socio-environmental conditions of fish farming and subsidizing administration plans for the fish farmers in Guapé, MG, Brazil. In the January-February period of 2011, 15 net-tank fish farms were evaluated by means of two questionnaires using the Gerenciamento de Aspectos e Impactos Ambientais GAIA (management aspects and environmental impacts): the first, to characterize the profile of the properties; the second, to determine the degree of sustainability of the fish farms. The fish farmers responded to questions in loco. Visual proof of the situation presented was done later. A descriptive analysis of the results was done for the evaluation of the questionnaires, and the percent frequencies were computed for each question. The results were organized and presented by column and sector graphs. The results led to the conclusion that the degree of sustainability is between 30% and 70%. Regarding the sustainability classification, 60% of the fish farms were very poor; while 40% were adequate. This study revealed that fish processing and commercialization are conducted in the property; altogether, the fish farms consume about 4.3 daily tons of extruded commercial ration and produce annually 550 tons of fish in 504 net-tanks. It also showed that most fish farmers present low schooling; started their business only recently; do other jobs, such as coffee growing and milk producing; receive technical assistance, although not continuous; and do not monitor water.