This year, over one million fingerlings of native species were released into the São Francisco River in 18 stocking actions. Since the project’s inception in 2007, more than 146 million fingerlings have been bred to support local fish farming.
The stocking actions are part of the river revitalization work promoted by the Ministry of National Integration through the Companhia de Desenvolvimento dos Vales do São Francisco e do Parnaíba (Codevasf).
These actions are part of the Novo Chico Plan, which aims to increase the quantity and quality of water for the population and ensure the preservation, conservation, and sustainable use of the river.
The constant release of native fingerlings in the basin has allowed species that had previously disappeared from the region, such as the curimatã pioa and the matrinxã, to be caught again. Among the fish bred and used in the stockings are also the cari, pacamã, piau, pacu, and piaba.
Environment and Livelihood
According to Inaldo Guerra, director of the Watershed Revitalization Area at Codevasf, the work has ecological, scientific, and 
socioeconomic importance, as it ensures the livelihood of fishermen. “This action is one of the efforts that contributes to the environment by helping to recover the biome of which this river is a part, and just as importantly, teaching new generations the significance of this type of involvement,” Guerra stated.
Support for Fish Farming
Codevasf also supports fish farmers in breeding non-native species, in a project aimed at local development to boost the production chain, job creation, income, and food security.
The expectation is that around 16.5 million people living in the 505 municipalities that make up the basin will benefit, directly or indirectly.
Source: Portal Brasil