Fish Study Experimental Station
Fish Study Experimental Station – EEEI
EEEI has been built soon after GNB Hydroelectric Power Station operation start. The first fries produced in EEEI were released in 1996. Since the beginning, Iguaçu Surubim (Steindachneridion melanodermatum) raising and reproduction in captivity was intended, which is a rare and endemic species within this basin.
Copel and its partner works enabled developing raising and reproduction in captivity technology for this significant species, and it has been a pioneer study, so that several scientific studies were developed in the location.
In order to maximize the genetic variety of surubim-do-iguaçu fingerlings, the entire breeding stock received identification chips. This makes it possible to control crosses, which, in turn, makes it possible to maximize the genetic variety of the fingerlings, something important in a fish farm with the aim of environmental conservation.
Reproduction and Repopulation Actions
With reproduction and repopulation actions, Copel intends to mitigate impacts caused to ichtyofauna. Species used are the ones reproduced in EEEI, in captivity, and native species individual controlled release enables such species natural populations, and it enables reservoir fish stock maintenance. The repopulation also complies with environment and government agency demands in events sponsored in benefit of the environment.
Reproduction and repopulation include the following activities:
- Breeder capture and maintenance.
- Fertilization
- Fish Hatchery.
- Release.
Actions planned for 2023
For 2023, the activities planned for restocking involve the reproduction of matrices of the Surubim-do-Iguaçu species – Steindachneridion melanodermatum and Lambari – Astyanax bifasciatus and subsequent release of fingerlings. Reproduction activities occur in the warmest months of the year, starting in September and continuing until February of the following year. After the fry reach the ideal size for release, according to each breeding batch, restocking activities can be carried out from October to March of the following year.
For 2023, the plan is to continue responding to environmental emergencies and rescuing fish at power plants and preparing for the 2023 reproductive cycle, as well as implementing the action plan for reproduction, restocking and including new endangered species in the program already carried out at the fish farming station.
The species listed for this new action plan are part of the National Action Plan for the Conservation of Aquatic and Semi-aquatic Fauna of the Baixo Iguaçu Basin, in which Copel is one of the collaborators. The Baixo Iguaçu PAN includes 16 aquatic and semi-aquatic species present in the Baixo Iguaçu basin, 12 of which are threatened with extinction according to MMA Ordinance No. 445/2014.
2022 Results
EEEI has listed four species of rare fish that are being sought out in the wild to be reproduced at the fish farming station with the aim of carrying out reproduction, multiplication and release, thus contributing to maintaining the species in the wild and preserving them for future generations and balancing the environment.
Restocking Results
Species | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
Lambari | 75,000 | 30,000 | 38,000 | 8,000 |
|
Surubim do Iguaçu | 6,220 | 2,301 | 2,445 | 12,919 |
|
Rescue and Release Results
| Condition | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
| Alive | 6,545 | 2,162 | 11,883 | 23,054 | |
| Dead | 39 | 0 | 157 | 536 | |
| Total | 6,584 | 2,162 | 12,040 | 23,590 |
