The Amazonian manatee (*Trichechus inunguis*) is a large, fully aquatic mammal native to the freshwater habitats of the Amazon Basin, distinguished by its smooth, streamlined body and lack of nails on its flippers. Unlike fish, manatees are mammals, but they have historically been targeted by local fisheries for their meat, oil, and hides. The primary countries involved in the exploitation of the Amazonian manatee are Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, where traditional and sometimes illegal hunting persists despite conservation efforts and legal protections. While commercial-scale harvesting has declined due to strict regulations and the species’ vulnerable status, subsistence and clandestine hunting still occur, posing ongoing threats to the Amazonian manatee population. Conservation initiatives in these countries are working to curb hunting, raise awareness, and promote alternative livelihoods to protect this unique aquatic mammal from further decline.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.