DIAGNOSIS OF PIRARUCU FISH TRADE IN MARKETS AND FAIRS OF SANTARÉM, PARÁ

This study accomplished adiagnos is of the pirarucu fish (Arapaima gigas) trading in sale points of Santarém-Pará. The data were collected weekly through interviews with the trades people at the sale points, in a period from November/2012 to November/2014.The information were scanned in relational databases on Access Platform and analyzed through descriptive statistics. They were applied 354 questionnaires to the trades people who presented the pirarucu fish for sale. It was verified that the payment to the providers is made in cash by the most part of the trades people (93%), which are mostly fishermen of the region (84%). The sliced fish products (50%) and fresh piece (33%) were the most available forms on the selling stalls. It was verified that the defense period causes changes in the pirarucu fish trading process. Some trades people denied giving information, but the obtained results shows important data to the management of this resource in the region. Keywords: Lower Amazonas; commercialization; Arapaimatidae