The commercial fishing sector in the regional economy of the Brazilian Amazon

The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of the fisheries sector along the Amazon River in Brazil. Total income and employment were estimated for the principal activities comprising the fisheries sector: fish processing plants, stores selling fishing material, gas stations, restaurants, ice factories and boatyards. Businesses were interviewed in 15 cities along the Amazon River. The number of fishing boats and total catch were estimated using data from the Brazilian Coast Guard (Capitania dos Portos) and fish landings data collected in 7 cities. Results show that the fisheries sector generates R$389 million yr^-1 and 168 315 jobs. The major share of employment was generated by subsistence and commercial fishing activity, while most income was generated by the processing industry. It was also estimated that 7 531 fishing boats landed 83 847 tonnes in towns along the Amazon River.