Human activities which ruin the varzea obviously impact the fish. Also, the Brazilian government initiated huge hydroelectric projects that threaten to block rivers and flood great areas of forest, impeding the normal migratory -spawning routes of many commercially important fish, including catfish and large characins. As a byproduct, they will flood reservation lands of some of the last remaining native tribes. And, as is true for most conservation efforts, they succeed only in so far as they provide economic alternatives. Then show people how they can make as much or more money with sustainable harvesting of forest products.
Ornamental fish are one such potential if managed properly.
Using the small village of Barcelos on the Rio Negro in Brazil, Chao is attempting to educate the native fishers in the ways of sustainable fishing. To set-aside fish nurseries during the breeding season, where fish will not be collected. To develop and implement techniques that increase the survival of caught fishes, both before pickup by exporters and during the trip downriver to the export facility. And, finally, to foster pride in the people involved in the industry. It is not impossible that Brazil and other South American countries will close down their countries to ornamental fish export, or regulate it to the extent that little is available to the hobby.