Diagnóstico da cadeia produtiva de peixes ornamentais no município de Fortaleza, Ceará

Abstract

Regarding the production and trade of ornamental fish, Brazil has assumed a prominent position in the international market. The volume of Brazilian exports increased considerably, from approximately US$ 5 million in 2006 to US$ 6 million in 2007. To contribute to the sustainable development of aquatic resources in Brazil, this study aimed to analyze some sustainability aspects of the production chain of ornamental fish, particularly the production and retailing in Fortaleza and its metropolitan area. The analysis was based on primary data gathered through questionnaires with semi-structured questions and applied to the two largest producers of ornamental fish and a sample of retail stores. It was analyzed variables which characterized the production, trade, supply chain and technology of the ornamental fishery. The two larger producers of ornamental fish showed equivalent production levels and similar system of production, and they were not concerned with the treatment of their effluents. In the retailing segment, it was observed that the level of interest in adopting environmental management actions in the stores was low. In general, we can conclude that the chain of production of ornamental fish and Fortaleza metropolitan region does not meet all the underlying conditions for sustainable aquaculture and trade.