Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed Model
Cultivated meat (CM) is a disruptive technology that provides an alternative to animal protein. In this context, the Amazon manatee (<i>Trichechus inunguis</i>) emerges as an important case. Although it is illegal to hunt this large mammal, its meat continues to be consumed, causing seve...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Conservation |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/3/2/21 |
| _version_ | 1797595431898710016 |
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| author | Ana Flavia S. Abrahao Joao Paulo F. Rufino Germano Glufke Reis Alexandre Cabral |
| author_facet | Ana Flavia S. Abrahao Joao Paulo F. Rufino Germano Glufke Reis Alexandre Cabral |
| author_sort | Ana Flavia S. Abrahao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cultivated meat (CM) is a disruptive technology that provides an alternative to animal protein. In this context, the Amazon manatee (<i>Trichechus inunguis</i>) emerges as an important case. Although it is illegal to hunt this large mammal, its meat continues to be consumed, causing several threats to its natural habitat. The aim of this study is to explore the impacts of introducing the Amazon manatee CM into the traditional meat value chain as a tool to aid the biodiversity of the Amazon Basin. Thus, we developed a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats matrix from the content analysis of 11 interviews conducted between October 2021 and May 2022. The interviewees were experts in different fields, ranging from financial analysts of novel food technologies to biologists, researchers, and others. We presented the theme of illegal hunting and its consequences during the interviews, followed by the CM process, and explained how the royalties from the sale of this innovative product could help to preserve Amazon biodiversity through the proposal of a new business model. The main findings suggest that the proposed model would produce good results, but the threat of a rebound effect from the consumption of wild animals was mentioned in most responses, especially by actors involved in conservation. The strengths and opportunities of this disruptive narrative mainly focused on preserving biodiversity and promoting environmental awareness, combining the conservation of wildlife and the consumption of novel food. The weaknesses included the lack of knowledge and the non-existent market. This framework is relevant for policymakers, nongovernmental organizations, and researchers seeking to improve the sustainability not only of the species found in the Amazon, but also around the world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:36:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-f68b276feccc4e9eb5e284397e177554 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-7159 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T02:36:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation |
| spelling | doaj.art-f68b276feccc4e9eb5e284397e1775542023-11-18T09:54:45ZengMDPI AGConservation2673-71592023-05-013230331810.3390/conservation3020021Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed ModelAna Flavia S. Abrahao0Joao Paulo F. Rufino1Germano Glufke Reis2Alexandre Cabral3Management School, UFPR Federal University of Parana, Av. LothárioMeissner, 632, Jd. Botanico, Curitiba 80210170, BrazilDepartment of Animal and Plant Production, Agrarian Sciences Faculty, Federal University of Amazonas, Manaus 69080900, BrazilManagement School, UFPR Federal University of Parana, Av. LothárioMeissner, 632, Jd. Botanico, Curitiba 80210170, BrazilPolicy Department, The Good Food Institute Brazil, Rio de Janeiro 22031020, BrazilCultivated meat (CM) is a disruptive technology that provides an alternative to animal protein. In this context, the Amazon manatee (<i>Trichechus inunguis</i>) emerges as an important case. Although it is illegal to hunt this large mammal, its meat continues to be consumed, causing several threats to its natural habitat. The aim of this study is to explore the impacts of introducing the Amazon manatee CM into the traditional meat value chain as a tool to aid the biodiversity of the Amazon Basin. Thus, we developed a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats matrix from the content analysis of 11 interviews conducted between October 2021 and May 2022. The interviewees were experts in different fields, ranging from financial analysts of novel food technologies to biologists, researchers, and others. We presented the theme of illegal hunting and its consequences during the interviews, followed by the CM process, and explained how the royalties from the sale of this innovative product could help to preserve Amazon biodiversity through the proposal of a new business model. The main findings suggest that the proposed model would produce good results, but the threat of a rebound effect from the consumption of wild animals was mentioned in most responses, especially by actors involved in conservation. The strengths and opportunities of this disruptive narrative mainly focused on preserving biodiversity and promoting environmental awareness, combining the conservation of wildlife and the consumption of novel food. The weaknesses included the lack of knowledge and the non-existent market. This framework is relevant for policymakers, nongovernmental organizations, and researchers seeking to improve the sustainability not only of the species found in the Amazon, but also around the world.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/3/2/21cultivated meatwildlife tradeAmazonbiodiversitybusiness model |
| spellingShingle | Ana Flavia S. Abrahao Joao Paulo F. Rufino Germano Glufke Reis Alexandre Cabral Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed Model Conservation cultivated meat wildlife trade Amazon biodiversity business model |
| title | Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed Model |
| title_full | Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed Model |
| title_fullStr | Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed Model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed Model |
| title_short | Cultivated Manatee Meat Aiding Amazon Biodiversity Conservation: Discussing a Proposed Model |
| title_sort | cultivated manatee meat aiding amazon biodiversity conservation discussing a proposed model |
| topic | cultivated meat wildlife trade Amazon biodiversity business model |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7159/3/2/21 |
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