Reserves, Research Stations and Nurseries

The Volta Grande Environmental Station · VOLTA GRANDE HYDROPOWER PLANT

Environmental Station – Fish Culture

An area especially reserved for the development of studies on fish culture, limnology and fishing biology. The Volta Grande Environmental Station is a research center that investigates the impacts the establishment of a hydropower plant may have on the structure of aquatic communities.

Migratory fish do not adapt to the still waters of reservoirs as their reproduction cycle is disrupted. Laboratory induced reproduction of species, using specimens either hatched in fish tanks or caught by the dam gates during the migratory run, is intended to conserve biodiversity and foster fishing stocks.

History

Established in 1976 with the support from Universities and research centers, The Volta Grande Environmental Station had its initial activities based upon the results from a bio-ecological survey conducted in 1975 in the reservoirs of the Grande River basin.

In 1985, a preliminary study of flora and fauna identified 45 plant species, 25 mammal species and 168 bird species in the station’s territory. The study showed some species, such as the Anteater, the Maned-wolf and the Spotted leopard-cat, among others, were threatened.

Between 1994 and 1995, the ichtyofauna study conducted by researchers from the Federal University of Minas Gerais found 53 different species living in the Volta Grande Hydropower Plant’s reservoir.

Activities

Fish Culture: induced reproduction of the following species: pirapitinga (Brycon nattereri) - unprecedented, piau (Leporinus friderici), dourado (Salminus maxillosus), surubim (Pseudoplatystoma corruscans) and piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus), among others. The post-larvae are kept in tanks and transferred as fry to the reservoirs for the conservation of biodiversity and fishing stocks.

Sperm Bank: collects genetic material and preserves it cryogenically. The objective is to ensure the recovery of threatened species and promote genetic variety.

A cryopreservation technology transfer agreement was signed in 1998 between Cemig and Canada’s World Fisheries Trust.

Limnology: monitoring the quality of the water in the reservoir through the physical-chemical parameters and the biological communities.

Besides studying the aquatic communities’ structural imbalances, the Volta Grande Environmental Station also undertakes reforestation projects, nurses seedlings for urban tree planting and promotes the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in its reserve.

Projects and Programs

technological development and transfer: induced reproduction, replenishment of fish stocks in reservoirs and cryopreservation.

basic course on fish culture and fry transfer for rural extension services and Universities.

hydro-biological handling of reservoirs: inventories and qualitative and quantitative monitoring aimed at sustained management and increased productivity of fishing stocks in the reservoirs.

fish bypass system: assessment of the program’s utility as per each different species;

Infrastructure

• 168 tanks
• 8 aquariums
• 2 ponds
• fully equipped lab for limnology and ichtyofauna
• cooling sector
• microscopy room
• hypophysation pavilion
• fish museum
• library
• seedlings nursery
• dormitories for 30 people
• restaurant
• communications system
• fence and firebreaks
• main gate / reception

Location

Located on the banks of Grande River (391 ha), between the municipalities of Conceição das Alagoas and Miguelópolis, in the western region of the state called the Triângulo Mineiro, 498 kilometers from Belo Horizonte.