jdepasqu2;1256631; said:
The cost of fish out of the river is free. The fish collectors put the price tag on them, depending on a number of variables. Ie; How long do I have to travel, where do I have to go, how dangerous is it, how hard is it to find, how easy does it die.
Black Rays aren't nearly as abundant in the Amazon, as DW stated. Black Rays come from exclusive areas, especially when you get selective with P14s and Itautaba (sp?).. I have heard stories of village elders knowing the collecting areas of special rare fish, only to be handed down to next of kin. I could see this very possible with black rays.
Motoros, and most other brown rays are ridiculously abundant, found in almost every river system in SA. They are considered a nuisance animal, and people are paid to kill them and keep them from threatening bathing and recreational beaches. If you lived on the river, you could take a throw net and bring up a dozen motoros in a short period of time..
From what I understand, before the ban.. Fish Collectors would ask about $5-7 for each Motoro sold to the Middlemen/Exporters. They would ask about $100-150 for black rays. Keep in mind the conversation rates, that is alot of money in those countries. Obviously, the black ray is a much harder to come by.
Add facility costs, export costs, DOAs, licensing, shipping, import fees, more shipping fees, profitable mark-up and you have a $500 animal.
Do the same for an animal that you started off paying $5 for, and package more per box in shipping, and you have a $100 animal.
Anyways.. I hope black rays continue to hold their value and appeal and become more abundant at the same time.
