MINISTER of Governance with responsibility for Natural Resources and the Environment Raphael Trotman, has commended the successful effort led by the North Rupununi communities and the Iwokrama International Centre to rescue a group of endangered Arapaimas, during this last week.He said the rescue clearly underscores the strength of multi-stakeholder collaboration in conserving our endangered species and effecting positive change.

The Arapaima, the world’s largest fresh-water fish, is found mainly in Guyana, Brazil and Peru and is noted under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) in Appendix 2, which controls the trade of this specie to ensure that they are utilised in a manner that ensures their survival.

Communities’ recognition of the importance and value of protecting the animal and plant species within their environments, particularly those of national importance and those that are endangered, is necessary for the wholesome management and protection of the environment on which we depend.

According to a statement yesterday from the Ministry of the Presidency, Trotman congratulated the communities involved on their proactive response in this most recent rescue effort.

He also implored residents living in drought-prone areas to be on the lookout for animals in distress and render assistance where possible.

Citizens can also call the Wildlife Management Division on telephone number 223-0940 or the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment on telephone numbers 231 2506-11 to report any such situations.

THE RESCUE
Two adult and 25 juvenile Arapaimas were safely moved from a drying pond located upstream the Essequibo River from the Iwokrama River Lodge. The dedicated team of Iwokrama staffers and community residents spent the day of November 10th, 2015 carefully transferring the fish to the river body.

Iwokrama management was informed of the stranded Arapaimas on November 2 by officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and sent a monitoring team the next day, led by the Head Ranger to investigate.

The Iwokrama Centre said one adult Arapaima and several juveniles were seen in the pond that was drying out and very muddy. Concerned Fairview residents, who reside within the Iwokrama Reserve on 22,000 hectares of their titled land, later reported that they had seen not one, but two adults in the pond.

With the critical dry season currently being experienced in that region due to the El Nino effect, the partners soon realised that if the fish were not moved from the pond, they would perish. Consultations were quickly held with relevant partners, including the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) community experts, the Fisheries Department, EPA and researcher Dr Lesley de Souza to come up with a rescue plan.
An expert team of local fishermen from Fairview, Kwatamang and Rewa Villages and Iwokrama staffers executed the rescue mission on November 10. Iwokrama said special protocols were applied to ensure safe transfer to the river.
The Arapaima is the largest fresh-water scaled fish in the world and is legally protected in Guyana.

Members of the Rescue Team were:
1. Micah Davis, Iwokrama, Head Ranger (Toka Village)
2. Kevin Edwards, Iwokrama, Tourism coordinator (Kwaimatta Village)
3. Lakeram Haynes, Kwatamang Sr. Council and NRDDB treasurer
4. Stephanu Honorio, Rewa Village Council
5. Dennis Edwards, Iwokrama boat captain/Fair View
6. Bernard Williams, Iwokrama boat captain/Fair View
7. Rojas Jonas, Fair View Village
8. Dora Jonas, Fair View Village
9. Lucy Marslowe, Toshao, Fair View
10. Everton Allicock, Fair View Village
11. Ivor Ignacio, Fair View Village
12. Samantha James, Iwokrama, Outreach Manager/Kwatamang Village
13. Rockland Leo, Fair View Village
14. Deon Bernard, Fair View Village
15. Carmella Williams, Kwatamang Village