Environmental authorities in the state of Brazil's northern central state of Tocantins have given the go-ahead for tilapia production using cages.
Discussions began in 2016, but proposals first had to win the backing of environmental authorities.
Officials were also keen to have the necessary legal framework in place that would reassure investors before announcing their approval.
Aquaculture trade body Peixe BR estimates that as much as 200,000 metric tons could be produced across the state's sprawling hydroelectric dam system alone.
