Construction of Methodology for Mapping Fish Farming in the Legal Amazon

Pisciculture has been established as a strategic activity in the Amazon, with emphasis on the cultivation of tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and its hybrids. This study analyzed the spatial dynamics of aquaculture in three municipalities of the Legal Amazon: Ariquemes (RO), Sorriso (MT) and Paragominas (PA), using geotechnologies and remote sensing. Using Sentinel-2 images, Google Earth Engine and the DBSCAN algorithm, excavated tanks were mapped, analyzed in terms of area, perimeter, compactness and spatial organization. The average area of the nurseries was 0.57 ha, higher than the national average. There was high structural and productive variability among the municipalities. Ariquemes had larger and more compact nurseries, while Paragominas stood out for the irregularity in the shapes of the tanks. The multivariate analysis indicated that factors such as urban proximity, logistical infrastructure and level of technification directly influence the distribution and performance of fish farming. It was also observed the coexistence between small producers and large enterprises, revealing a heterogeneous production structure. Among the challenges identified, we highlight the low spatial resolution of images, the overlap of structures and inappropriate environmental practices, such as stream barrages, which make it difficult to distinguish between natural water bodies and excavated tanks. It is concluded that the integration between geotechnologies and socioeconomic data is essential for the sustainable planning of aquaculture in the region. Regional public policies, infrastructure improvement and incentives for environmental regularization are fundamental to the strengthening and sustainability of the sector.

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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The datasets used in this study are openly available at [repository link] and the source code is available on GitHub at [GitHub link].

This work did not receive any external funding.