RECENT DEVELOPMENTS:
November 1998, Project Piaba won an approval of the most prestigious Brazilian Government's Program for Nucleus of Excellency (PRONEX) for four years.
March 1999, the coordinating “Amazon River Bio-Diversity Conference” was hosted by St. Louis Children’s Aquarium to formally assess the past, present and future of the Project Piaba. This workshop allowed the stakeholders and representatives of these efforts since the 1950's to meet, present these issues and gain consensus.
June, 1999, Bio-Amazonia Conservation International Inc, formed in 1994 under IRS code 501(c) (3), has gained further recognition as a public supported organization of IRS code, 509 (a) (1) and 170(b) (1) (A) (vi).
15 July 1999, the Association of Amazonas Ornamental Fish Exporters (ACEPOAM) and their international clients have set up a levy system, for each box of fish exported $1.00 is donated to a fund, which is used to support ornamental fish research and the welfare of fisherfolk. This is the most significant step for the ornamental fish industry worldwide to contribute in preserving wild fish resources and helping local fishers.
September 1999, Project Piaba participated in the AZA national conference in Minnesota. At this conference, the Brazil Conservation Action Partners and the Freshwater Fishes Taxon Advisory Group both reaffirmed their endorsement of Project Piaba. The Aquatic Conservation Interest Group used Project Piaba as the model of a community based conservation program. A special Project Piaba Focus Meeting was held and groundwork for the future relationship for Project Piaba and the AZA was conceived. Support was also gained from the AZA Field Conservation Committee and a request for Project Piaba to be featured in a future issue of communique (the official publication of the AZA).
January 15, 2000, Project Piaba hosts a workshop to develop the ornamental fishery of Barcelos. The workshop was attended by the Mayor of Barcelos, IBAMA (Brazilian environmental agency) IPAM (Amazonas environmental agency), INPA (National Institute of Amazon, Universidade of Amazonas, ACEPOAM(Ornamental Fish Exporters Association of Amazonas State), the local church, Barcelos Department of Health, American Zoo & Aquarium Association, Ornamental Fish International, US fish importers, and other agencies related to the trade of ornamental fishes and the sustainable development of Barcelos.
April 2000, An independent report by Ian Watson of the natural resource Institute, UK on The Role of the Ornamental Fish Industry in Poverty Alleviation (NRI Report 2504), praised Project Piaba as a world-class model.