Arapaima subscription club earns R$158,000 for riverside families in Amazonas

Sustainable economy

The project was created with the aim of promoting the pirarucu production chain

Manaus (AM) — The Amazonas sustainable management arapaima subscription marketing club, Piraruclub, reached the mark of R$ 158 thousand in revenue in the year 2023. The initiative, created by the Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS) in partnership with the communities of the Reserve Sustentável de Mamirauá, sold 4.4 tons of fish, benefiting 110 farming families in the state.

The project was born in December 2022 with the aim of promoting the pirarucu production chain. To this end, it carries out actions ranging from investment in production infrastructure, production management, training and business management for handlers, to adding value in the market and marketing pirarucu.

According to the manager of the Amazon Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Business Program at FAS, Wildney Mourão, the first year of the innovative project exceeded expectations.

“The project had a great reception from a niche market that demands a high quality product and I believe we managed to meet expectations. Our strategy was based on building a transparent relationship with customers, seeking to add value to pirarucu, generate income for communities and promote greater credibility for products from the Amazon bioeconomy”,

evaluate.

For Wildney, strategic actions not only encourage the production chain, but also contribute to forest conservation and improved quality of life.

“This encourages the socio-environmental model and economic impact, adding value, generating income and contributing to the conservation of the biome and people’s quality of life, in addition to encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation in community businesses”,

complete.

One of Piraruclub’s associates since the beginning of the project is the Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants Seccional Amazonas (Abrasel Amazonas). According to the president of the association and owner of the Mercato Brazil restaurant, Rodrigo Zamperlini, the model’s innovation goes beyond commercial issues.

“In this initiative, we are certain of the origin of pirarucu from sustainable management combined with promoting the income of people who live in the management area, which contributes to environmental conservation, as the fish comes from a sustainable source and contributes decisively to income. of families, preventing them from deforestation, illegal fishing or other activities that harm the environment”,

says Zamperlini.

The sustainable origin of the fish that is sold via Piraruclub is also an attraction for consumers who are increasingly aware of the impacts their consumption habits have on the planet. “In addition to having excellent quality fish available, the customer is also contributing to this cycle of sustainability in pirarucu consumption and the social development of the communities involved in the activity”, he summarizes.

How it works

Piraruclub operates through three types of annual subscriptions: sustainable quota, pirarucu quota and premium quota. The establishment receives custom-made pirarucu combos, with special cuts and on a monthly basis, according to the chosen quota. Subscriptions are directed to restaurants, hotels and emporiums in the capital of Amazonas.

The project works in partnership with the Association of Residents and Users of the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve (RDS), Bradesco, Amazonas State Secretariat for the Environment (Sema), Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Mapa) and Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae).

About FAS

The Sustainable Amazon Foundation (FAS) is a non-profit civil society organization that works for the sustainable development of the Amazon. Its mission is to contribute to the conservation of the biome, to improve the quality of life of the populations of the Amazon and to enhance the standing forest and its biodiversity.

In 2023, the institution completes 15 years of operation with outstanding numbers, such as the 202% increase in the average income of thousands of benefited families and the 40% drop in deforestation in areas served between 2008 and 2021.

*With information from consultancy

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