WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • MARCH 2017 35 Brazilian aquaculture has expanded tremendously in the last four years, with an annual growth rate of 15 percent and with an estimated future production increase of 1.972 million t by 2025 (Fig. 1). The increase in consumer purchasing power and the generally higher education level of the population have resulted in a greater demand for animal protein, including fish, and are the main drivers of increased aquaculture production. Per capita fish intake has almost tripled from 6 kg in 2000 to 14.5 kg per capita in 2015 (FAO, OCDE 2015) (Fig. 2). Brazil is the Latin American country that will make a major contribution to future fish supplies with an expected high rate of increase (104 percent higher), mainly due to significant investments in the sector (FAO 2016). In the context of the high growth rate of Brazilian aquaculture, tambaqui Colossoma macropomum (Fig. 3) is a species that has been gaining space among the wide variety of cultured fish. Tambaqui is the second largest scaled freshwater fish and the second most farmed species in Brazil, just behind tilapia. Tambaqui has social and economic importance, mainly for some Amazonian communities, because it is the main protein source for this population. Specific The Use of Ractopamine as a Fat-Reducing Feed Additive in Tambaqui Farming: Preliminary Results Igo G. Guimarães, Cristielle N. Souto, Thiago M. Faria, Bruno S. M. Mazini, Graciela P. Martins, Silvio L. Oliveira and Denise S. Oliveira cuts of tambaqui (such as the ribs) are now highly appreciated in the international market. Tambaqui is fast growing, reaching 1.2 kg in eight months in net cages, and is well-adapted to different production systems. Although production of tambaqui on fish farms is increasing, some market problems associated with high fat content in the abdominal cavity — up to 70 percent of the total visceral content, depending on fish size (Fig. 4) — may cause decreased acceptance of tambaqui by consumers in some regions. (CONTINUED ON PAGE 36) FIGURE 1. Production and consumption of fish in Brazil (Source: FAO, OCDE 2015). FIGURE 3. A tambaqui juvenile (~300g). Photo: C.N. Souto. FIGURE 2. Per capita fish intake in Brazil from 2000 to 2015 (Sources: MPA 2014, FAO 2016). FIGURE 4. Fat content in abdominal cavity of tambaqui. Photo: C.N. Souto.
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