If you lived in the rainforest, finding work as a banker, a doctor, or even a school teacher might be challenging. You could, however, make a decent living as a fisherman. For most people in this area, fishing is one of the only sources of income.

Our friend, Don Ramon, who guided us to Lake El Dorado, fishes for food and for money. From his work, he makes about 3000 soles per year, or 1000 dollars. That's enough money to make ends meet for his family, since they don't pay a mortgage, rent, or bills.

Don Ramon, along with 15 other men from his community, fish for two kinds of fish at Lake El Dorado: Paiche (Arapaima) and Arawana. They also collect and sell turtle eggs. Because the arapaima and arawana were once endangered, the fishermen are only allowed to catch a certain amount of fish each year. In exchange for being able to catch the fish, the men must volunteer at the ranger stations in the reserve. When they are volunteering, the fishermen help monitor fish populations and keep illegal fisherman out of the area.

Last year, the sixteen men caught 24 arapaima. That doesn't seem like very many, but when each fish weighs over 160 kilograms, or 350 pounds, that's all they need. If they catch a paiche that weighs any less, they let it go. The fish are caught in nets, canoed down the river, and then carried on foot for several miles back to the town of Manco Capac. There, the fish are filleted, put on ice, and sold for about 5 soles per kilogram. Last year the group sold over 2 tons of arapaima. (Note: $1 US equals 3.32 Peruvian soles)

The arawana is caught in a much different way. Young arawana is more valuable than the older fish. The male arawana carry the young fish in their mouths to protect them from predators. When Don Ramon catches an arawana, he opens the mouth of the huge fish, takes the young arawana, and then releases the adult back into the water. The young arawana are then farm-raised until they are large enough to sell in Iquitos and Lima. They are sold alive, since arawana are mostly sold for aquariums all over the world. Last year he and his friends harvested 25,000 arawanas, farm-raised them, and then sold them for three soles each.

In the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, conservationists are working with local fisherman to fish sustainably. Because of this partnership, the once endangered fish are now thriving and Don Ramon and other fishermen can bring home food and money to their families.

May the forest be with you,

Anna