The death of over 450 kilos Autaz-Acu River fish has been recorded in the last two weeks by the Institute for Environmental Proection in Amazonas (IPAAM). Researchers from this institute attribute the deaths to two ecological factors: construction of a highway and deforestation. The highway has blocked water from flowing between the main and sub-tributaries, creating stagnant pools. Deforestation has caused a drastic drop in the water’s oxygen levels due to decomposition of pasture vegetation taking the place of forests. The death of fish has been detrimental to indigenous communities throughout the Autazes, Castanho, Careiro, and Manaquiri regions who rely on the fish as their main food source.
