Boi. Mux. Para. Emílio Goeldi, sér. Boi. 18(1), 2002 
ABSTRACT - The açaí palm tree fEuterpe oleraceae Mart.) is abmdant 
in forests ofthe Amazon River estuary and stands out as an important 
species for lhe local economy, siiice it provides botli fruits and palm 
liearts. The industrialization of this palm began at lhe end of the 
]960s and has intensified to the point of placing its natural 
populations at risk due to uncontrolled exploitation. The present 
stiidy analyzes the process and the current situation of palm heart 
extrativism in riverine areas of Breves, Pará. Various methods were 
employed in the stiidy: direct observation in the field and previously 
stnictured interviews. Twenty-four river-dwellers were interviewed, 
12 who Work in palm extraction and 12 who work in palm heart 
Processing. Resiilts indicate that the palm heart extraction in Breves 
is in decline as a consequence ofthe disappearance of most natural 
populations of the açaí palm. River-dwellers who are under paid 
for their labor do not benefit from the current system of palm heart 
that also causes environniental degradation. High rates ofintensity 
and frequency of palm cutting for palm heart extraction are 
generating an unsatisfactory regeneration of açaí palm groves, 
locally termed açaizais. 
KEY WORDS: Euterpe oleracea, Extractivism, Palm heart, Amazon 
river estuary. 
INTRODUÇÃO 
A extração dos recursos vegetais da Amazônia, executada em 
moldes puramente exploratórios, tem sido reavaliada sob uma ótica 
conservacionista nos últimos anos (Allegretti 1989). 
Na pauta de importância dos piodutos do extrativismo amazônico 
está a palmeira açaí {Euterpe oleracea Mart.). Para as comunidades 
ribeirinhas do estuário amazônico, o açaizeiro representa o principal produto 
extrati vista como fonte alimentar e socioeconômica (Calzavara 1 972). 
As populações ribeirinhas aproveitam o açaizeiro em sua 
totalidade, uma vez que esta palmeira apresenta um amplo potencial 
de utilizações c possibilidades económicas. O grande destaque, sem 
duvida, são os frutos c o palmito, ambos de elevada importância 
econômica para a região (Jardim & Anderson 1987). 
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