2,500 pacu juveniles are planted in Salto del Guairá, reproduced by Itaipu

Photo Itaipu Binational

Asunction, IP Agency.- Itaipu Binacional carried out the stocking of 2,500 juveniles of the Piaractus mesopotamicus (pacu) species at the Pirate Fishing Club, located in Salto del Guairá (Canindeyú), which were reproduced at the Entity’s Aquaculture Station.

The technician in charge of the project, Julio Flores, explained that the seeding was carried out in response to a request from the Pirate Fishing Club and detailed that the seeded fish have an average of 500 grams, of which 50 were marked to monitor their migration, spawning points and feeding. This data will be essential to better understand the behavior of the fish in the reservoir.

“These types of activities allow us to socialize our work and educate the community regarding the importance of preserving our fish fauna,” Flores said. He added that, in addition to promoting catch-and-release sport fishing and respect for the ban, these initiatives inform the population regarding the species present in the reservoir and their life cycles.

Carlos Espínola, president of the Pirate Fishing Club, expressed his gratitude to Itaipu for its constant support in the stocking of fingerlings. “It is a fantastic achievement to repopulate a river that needs revitalization, especially for sport fishermen,” said Espínola.

For his part, David Mujica, the club’s outgoing president, also highlighted the continued assistance of the Binacional in various areas, including fish farming and reforestation. “We are very grateful for the institution’s constant support, which motivates us to continue preserving our environment,” he said.

Flores said that so far in 2024, ITAIPU has stocked more than 3 million fingerlings and juveniles in the reservoir, mainly in the Itabo Nature Reserve fingerling center, using an automated stocking system.

He noted that requests for planting are received throughout the year. However, he clarified that requests for donations to small producers or for consumption will only be attended to in the next season, specifically in February 2025.

The Entity successfully reproduces at least 12 native species of the region, such as boga, pacu, shad, brook catfish or ñurundi’a; and species considered to be in a vulnerable state such as dorado, surubí and Paraná salmon. The latter is listed as endangered by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Mades).