Giant pirarucu fish under threat in Brazilian Amazon - in pictures

  • A fisherman carries a large pirarucu in Amazonas State, Brazil. AFP
    A fisherman carries a large pirarucu in Amazonas State, Brazil. AFP
  • Prized for its skin as much as its flesh, the pirarucu has long been a staple for indigenous people who hunt the air-breathing fish in lakes in the Javari Valley. AFP
    Prized for its skin as much as its flesh, the pirarucu has long been a staple for indigenous people who hunt the air-breathing fish in lakes in the Javari Valley. AFP
  • But the freshwater pirarucu, which can grow to be larger than a man, is also wanted by poachers. AFP
    But the freshwater pirarucu, which can grow to be larger than a man, is also wanted by poachers. AFP
  • Fishermen unload a catch of pirarucu in Fonte Boa, Brazil. AFP
    Fishermen unload a catch of pirarucu in Fonte Boa, Brazil. AFP
  • Bushe Matis, co-ordinator of Univaja, the main indigenous organisation from the country's north-western region, talks with Thiago Arruda Mairum, an official from the Indigenous Working Center (CTI), a Brazilian NGO that defends indigenous people in Amazonia. AFP
    Bushe Matis, co-ordinator of Univaja, the main indigenous organisation from the country's north-western region, talks with Thiago Arruda Mairum, an official from the Indigenous Working Center (CTI), a Brazilian NGO that defends indigenous people in Amazonia. AFP
  • In Brazil's Amazonas province, pirarucu harvesting is strictly regulated. AFP
    In Brazil's Amazonas province, pirarucu harvesting is strictly regulated. AFP
  • Brazilian soldiers carry a pirarucu seized on a boat. Reuters
    Brazilian soldiers carry a pirarucu seized on a boat. Reuters
  • A boat transports pirarucu fish to a processing ship, in the San Raimundo settlement lake, in Carauari, Brazil. AP
    A boat transports pirarucu fish to a processing ship, in the San Raimundo settlement lake, in Carauari, Brazil. AP
  • In the Javari Valley which holds the country's second-largest protected Indigenous reserve, home to seven tribes including the Kanamari, only residents may hunt the fish. AFP
    In the Javari Valley which holds the country's second-largest protected Indigenous reserve, home to seven tribes including the Kanamari, only residents may hunt the fish. AFP
  • In 2017, a project was started in the Javari Valley with the help of CTI to ensure communities will be able to continue harvesting pirarucu for a long time to come. AFP
    In 2017, a project was started in the Javari Valley with the help of CTI to ensure communities will be able to continue harvesting pirarucu for a long time to come. AFP