A dozen policemen cruise the glass-smooth waters of Colombia’s Orinoco River in their speedboat, racing past rainforest trees towering on the banks. They’re not pursuing guerrillas or drug-traffickers. Instead, they’re after Indian and mestizo villagers using illegal nets to tap the ornamental fish trade. The policemen are conducting their patrol with mixed feelings, aware that sales of ornamental fish are a vital, yet dwindling source of income for Puerto Carreño and neighboring towns. “Ornamental fishing is crucial to the prosperity here,” says one policeman. “And it is a business in deep decline.” Puerto Carreño, like many river ports in the Colombian, Brazilian and Peruvian regions of the Orinoco and Amazon, has made millions by helping to supply wild-caught ornamental fish to the... [Log in to read more]