Guillermo Otta Parum, a fisherman in the Bolivian Amazon, has been fishing for over 50 years. Initially, he caught native fish like catfish, but then a giant freshwater fish called paiche or Arapaima gigas arrived. At first, Guillermo thought the paiche was dangerous and poisonous, but it is actually one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, growing up to 4 meters in length and weighing over 200kg. The paiche is spreading deeper into the rivers of the Amazon basin each year, posing a serious threat to native fish stocks. It is a territorial fish that scares off other species, causing them to flee to more remote and inaccessible areas.

The exact year of the paiche’s arrival in Bolivia is unknown, but it is believed to have originated from a breach in a paiche fish farm in Peru. Fernando Carvajal, a biologist and paiche expert, describes the fish as ravenous, growing at a rate of 10kg per year during its early years. Despite its lack of impressive teeth, the paiche feeds on piranhas, other fish, plants, molluscs, and even birds. Fishermen have reported a decline in native species, and Carvajal warns that the paiche will continue to spread and negatively impact biodiversity.

However, the arrival of the paiche has been beneficial for local fishermen. Initially afraid of the fish, they soon realized its potential. The paiche is now widely consumed in Bolivia, with Edson Suzano running a paiche-processing plant that sells the fish in supermarkets and markets. The challenge for fishermen is finding the paiche in the vast Amazon. The fish prefers calmer water and migrates when it feels threatened, leading fishermen to travel to remote areas by boat and canoe for up to two weeks. This has caused conflicts with indigenous communities who have land titles to the lagoons where paiche are found.

Indigenous communities argue that they are protecting the resources they have a right to control, and commercial fishermen often face obstacles even with the correct paperwork. Juan Carlos Ortiz Chávez, a paiche fisherman from an indigenous community, explains that the new generation has established rules to prevent outsiders from taking their resources. Scientists like Federico Moreno hope that fishing, regardless of who is doing it, will help maintain a balance between different species and keep paiche numbers in check.

Original news source: The fish that eats piranhas for breakfast (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

Slow

Normal

Fast

📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades

Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Give each team a set of vocabulary words related to the article, such as “fisherman,” “Amazon,” “paiche,” “biodiversity,” and “indigenous communities.” One member from each team will take turns acting out the word without speaking, while their teammates try to guess what word it is. The team with the most correct guesses wins.

– News Summary

Instructions: Have students individually read the article and write a short summary of the main points. Then, divide the class into pairs or small groups and have them share and compare their summaries. Encourage discussion and ask follow-up questions to check comprehension.

– Opinion Poll

Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group a role, such as fisherman, biologist, or indigenous community member. Each group will discuss and debate their opinions on the paiche situation in the Amazon. After the discussion, have each group present their opinions and arguments to the class. As a class, conduct a poll to see which group’s opinion is most popular, and discuss the reasons behind the results.

– Vocabulary Pictionary

Instructions: Prepare a list of vocabulary words from the article on flashcards or slips of paper. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. One student from each group will draw a word from the list and try to convey the meaning to their partner(s) through a drawing. The partner(s) must guess the word based on the drawing. Set a time limit for each round and rotate the roles.

– Headline Creation

Instructions: In pairs or small groups, have students create a catchy and informative headline for the article about the paiche in the Amazon. Encourage creativity and accuracy in summarizing the main points of the article. After each group presents their headline, discuss the different approaches and choose the most effective headline as a class.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. How long has Guillermo Otta Parum been fishing?
2. What did Guillermo initially think about the paiche fish?
3. Where is the paiche believed to have originated from?
4. What does Fernando Carvajal describe the paiche as?
5. What has been the impact of the paiche on native fish stocks?
6. How has the arrival of the paiche been beneficial for local fishermen?
7. What is the challenge for fishermen in finding the paiche?
8. Why do indigenous communities argue that they have the right to control the paiche resources?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Guillermo Otta Parum, a fisherman in the (1)______ Amazon, has been fishing for over 50 years. Initially, he caught native fish like catfish, but then a giant freshwater fish called paiche or Arapaima (2)______ arrived. At first, Guillermo thought the paiche was dangerous and poisonous, but it is actually one of the largest freshwater fish in the world, growing up to 4 meters in length and weighing over 200kg. The paiche is spreading deeper into the rivers of the Amazon basin each year, posing a serious threat to native fish stocks. It is a territorial fish that (3)______ off (4)______ species, causing them to flee to more (5)______ and inaccessible areas.

The exact year of the paiche’s arrival in Bolivia is unknown, but it is (6)______ to have originated from a breach in a paiche fish farm in Peru. Fernando Carvajal, a biologist and paiche expert, describes the fish as ravenous, growing at a rate of 10kg per year during its early years. Despite its lack of impressive teeth, the paiche feeds on piranhas, other fish, plants, molluscs, and even birds. Fishermen have reported a decline in (7)______ species, and Carvajal warns that the paiche will continue to (8)______ and negatively impact biodiversity.

However, the arrival of the paiche has been beneficial for (9)______ fishermen. Initially afraid of the fish, they soon realized its potential. The paiche is now widely consumed in Bolivia, with Edson Suzano running a paiche-processing (10)______ that sells the fish in supermarkets and markets. The challenge for fishermen is finding the paiche in the vast Amazon. The fish prefers (11)______ water and migrates when it feels threatened, leading fishermen to (12)______ to remote areas by boat and canoe for up to two weeks. This has caused conflicts with indigenous communities who have land (13)______ to the lagoons where (14)______ are found.

(15)______ communities argue that they are protecting the resources they have a right to control, and commercial fishermen often face obstacles even with the correct paperwork. Juan Carlos Ortiz Chávez, a paiche fisherman from an indigenous community, explains that the new generation has established rules to prevent outsiders from taking their resources. Scientists like Federico Moreno hope that fishing, regardless of who is doing it, will help (16)______ a balance between different species and keep paiche numbers in check.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on the introduction of the paiche fish in the Bolivian Amazon?
2. How would you feel if you were a fisherman and a new species of fish arrived that threatened the native fish stocks?
3. Do you think the paiche fish should be considered a threat to biodiversity in the Amazon? Why or why not?
4. How do you think the arrival of the paiche fish has affected the livelihoods of local fishermen in Bolivia?
5. What is your opinion on the indigenous communities’ argument that they have the right to control the resources in their land?
6. How do you think the conflict between commercial fishermen and indigenous communities over the paiche fish can be resolved?
7. Do you think it is fair for indigenous communities to establish rules to prevent outsiders from taking their resources? Why or why not?
8. How do you think the introduction of the paiche fish has impacted the overall balance between different species in the Amazon?
9. What is your opinion on the idea that fishing, regardless of who is doing it, can help maintain a balance between different species?
10. How would you feel if you were a fisherman and had to travel to remote areas for up to two weeks in search of the paiche fish?
11. Do you like the idea of consuming the paiche fish? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the paiche fish could be better managed to protect native fish stocks in the Amazon?
13. Do you think the paiche fish should be considered a valuable resource for the local communities in Bolivia? Why or why not?
14. How do you think the paiche fish could be used to benefit both local communities and the preservation of native fish stocks?
15. What is your opinion on the role of scientists in managing the impact of the paiche fish in the Amazon?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. ravenous
2. biodiversity
3. indigenous
4. migrates
5. territorial
6. lagoons
7. molluscs
8. remote
9. vast
10. conflicts
11. beneficial
12. obstacles
13. calmer
14. decline
15. potential

Meanings:
(A) Extremely hungry or having a very great appetite
(B) A gradual reduction in number or strength
(C) Producing good or helpful results or effects
(D) Defending an area against others of the same species or different species
(E) Things that block one’s way or prevent or hinder progress
(F) Moves from one region or habitat to another according to the seasons
(G) Originating naturally in a particular place; native
(H) Extremely large or extensive
(I) More peaceful, gentle, or quiet than usual
(J) The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat
(K) Situated far from the main centers of population; difficult to access
(L) Shallow bodies of water separated from a larger body of water by barrier islands or reefs
(M) Serious disagreements or arguments
(N) Invertebrate animals with soft, unsegmented bodies, most of which are enclosed in a calcareous shell
(O) The inherent capacity for growth or development
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the name of the giant freshwater fish that has arrived in the Bolivian Amazon?
(a) Catfish
(b) Arapaima gigas
(c) Piranha
(d) Paiche

2. How long can the paiche grow in length?
(a) Up to 4 meters
(b) Up to 2 meters
(c) Up to 6 meters
(d) Up to 8 meters

3. How much can the paiche weigh?
(a) Over 100kg
(b) Over 300kg
(c) Over 200kg
(d) Over 400kg

4. What is the paiche’s impact on native fish stocks?
(a) It poses a serious threat
(b) It has no impact
(c) It helps increase their numbers
(d) It scares them away temporarily

5. Where is the paiche believed to have originated from?
(a) Brazil
(b) Colombia
(c) Ecuador
(d) Peru

6. What does the paiche feed on?
(a) Only plants and molluscs
(b) Piranhas, other fish, plants, molluscs, and birds
(c) Only piranhas and other fish
(d) Only birds

7. How has the arrival of the paiche been beneficial for local fishermen?
(a) It scares away other dangerous fish
(b) It is now widely consumed in Bolivia
(c) It helps increase the population of native fish
(d) It makes fishing easier and more profitable

8. What is the challenge for fishermen in finding the paiche?
(a) It is too small to be easily spotted
(b) It is found in deep, inaccessible areas
(c) It prefers calmer water and migrates when threatened
(d) It is a nocturnal fish and is difficult to catch during the day

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Guillermo Otta Parum is not a fisherman in the Bolivian Amazon.
2. The paiche is spreading deeper into the rivers of the Amazon basin each year.
3. The paiche is one of the smallest freshwater fish in the world.
4. The paiche feeds on piranhas, other fish, plants, molluscs, and even birds.
5. The exact year of the paiche’s arrival in Bolivia is known.
6. The paiche scares off other fish species, causing them to flee to more remote areas.
7. The paiche is believed to have originated from a pirarucu fish farm in Peru.
8. The arrival of the paiche has been beneficial for local fishermen in Bolivia.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the paiche and why is it a threat to native fish stocks in the Bolivian Amazon?
2. How did the arrival of the paiche benefit local fishermen in Bolivia?
3. What challenges do fishermen face in finding and catching the paiche?
4. Why do indigenous communities in the Bolivian Amazon argue that they have the right to control the paiche resources?
5. What is the hope of scientists like Federico Moreno regarding fishing and the paiche population?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Guillermo Otta Parum has been fishing for over 50 years.
2. Initially, Guillermo thought the paiche was dangerous and poisonous.
3. The paiche is believed to have originated from a breach in a paiche fish farm in Peru.
4. Fernando Carvajal describes the paiche as ravenous.
5. The paiche has posed a serious threat to native fish stocks, causing a decline in native species.
6. The arrival of the paiche has been beneficial for local fishermen as it is now widely consumed in Bolivia.
7. The challenge for fishermen is finding the paiche in the vast Amazon, as the fish prefers calmer water and migrates when it feels threatened.
8. Indigenous communities argue that they have the right to control the paiche resources as they have land titles to the lagoons where paiche are found, and they are protecting the resources they have a right to control.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) Bolivian
(2) gigas
(3) scares
(4) other
(5) remote
(6) believed
(7) native
(8) spread
(9) local
(10) plant
(11) calmer
(12) travel
(13) titles
(14) paiche
(15) Indigenous
(16) maintain
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. ravenous
Answer: (A) Extremely hungry or having a very great appetite

2. biodiversity
Answer: (J) The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat

3. indigenous
Answer: (G) Originating naturally in a particular place; native

4. migrates
Answer: (F) Moves from one region or habitat to another according to the seasons

5. territorial
Answer: (D) Defending an area against others of the same species or different species

6. lagoons
Answer: (L) Shallow bodies of water separated from a larger body of water by barrier islands or reefs

7. molluscs
Answer: (N) Invertebrate animals with soft, unsegmented bodies, most of which are enclosed in a calcareous shell

8. remote
Answer: (K) Situated far from the main centers of population; difficult to access

9. vast
Answer: (H) Extremely large or extensive

10. conflicts
Answer: (M) Serious disagreements or arguments

11. beneficial
Answer: (C) Producing good or helpful results or effects

12. obstacles
Answer: (E) Things that block one’s way or prevent or hinder progress

13. calmer
Answer: (I) More peaceful, gentle, or quiet than usual

14. decline
Answer: (B) A gradual reduction in number or strength

15. potential
Answer: (O) The inherent capacity for growth or development
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the name of the giant freshwater fish that has arrived in the Bolivian Amazon?
Answer: (d) Paiche

2. How long can the paiche grow in length?
Answer: (a) Up to 4 meters

3. How much can the paiche weigh?
Answer: (c) Over 200kg

4. What is the paiche’s impact on native fish stocks?
Answer: (a) It poses a serious threat

5. Where is the paiche believed to have originated from?
Answer: (d) Peru

6. What does the paiche feed on?
Answer: (b) Piranhas, other fish, plants, molluscs, and birds

7. How has the arrival of the paiche been beneficial for local fishermen?
Answer: (b) It is now widely consumed in Bolivia

8. What is the challenge for fishermen in finding the paiche?
Answer: (c) It prefers calmer water and migrates when threatened
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Guillermo Otta Parum is not a fisherman in the Bolivian Amazon. (Answer: False)
2. The paiche is spreading deeper into the rivers of the Amazon basin each year. (Answer: True)
3. The paiche is one of the smallest freshwater fish in the world. (Answer: False)
4. The paiche feeds on piranhas, other fish, plants, molluscs, and even birds. (Answer: True)
5. The exact year of the paiche’s arrival in Bolivia is known. (Answer: False)
6. The paiche scares off other fish species, causing them to flee to more remote areas. (Answer: True)
7. The paiche is believed to have originated from a pirarucu fish farm in Peru. (Answer: False)
8. The arrival of the paiche has been beneficial for local fishermen in Bolivia. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧