Assessment of the viability of oyster culture in the lower course of the são joão river with application of the index for protection for aquatic life

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present a critical assessment about the level of water quality and protection of aquatic life (WQIPAL), and seek further information on the issues raised by the Free Association of Aquaculture in the São João River Basin – FAA, in relation to the unsuccessful attempt to grow oysters on that site. The inadequate management of water resources caused much disruption to the users,being of paramount importance to implement actions to inform the public about the conditions of water bodies, both nationally and regionally. In order for oyster farming be a sustainable and successful activity, one should observe several factors related to the water quality of the site where it is to be deployed. It is essential that the region where the activity is to take place be properly monitored, as it is meant for human consumption. In some situations, it is consumed without previous cooking, which aggravates the situation since it is functions as a strainer by accumulating contaminants that may be present in the water. The results of calculations using the WQIPAL index indicated a “reasonable”, categorization in most campaigns. Thus, the cultivation of bivalve molluscs is not recommended in the region under study.