were inspired by the search for an integrated management of coastal and marine
ecosystems, as well as the need for amplified participation of different stakeholders.
The rationale behind such an integration was that, without the incorporation of all
interested parties, effectiveness will be harder to reach. In addition to the integrated
management and the participatory drafting and execution of the plans’ actions, they
are also inspired by a precautionary approach to the exploration and exploitation of
the oceans.
47
The IX PSRM built on the previous ones and maintains the integrated and
participatory management model between Ministries, development agencies, academic and scientific communities and the private sector, who eventually collaborated to the Plan’s elaboration and shall cooperate in the execution of joint,
comprehensive actions. Among the topics of interest to the IX Sectorial Plan,
“sustainability” occupied a privileged spot in practically every paragraph, alongside
marine conservation efforts. Among the Plan’s objectives, one can quickly spot
(i) the monitoring of living marine resources and their conservation, sustainable
exploration and exploitation; (ii) the exploration of coastal and marine biodiversity,
with a view to its conservation; (iii) the research of non-living resources and their
economic potential, both in areas within and beyond national jurisdiction; (iv) the
environmental research and monitoring of the deep sea.
48 Overall, marine
environment-related concerns of the current and previous Plans have focused on
ensuring the quality of the marine environment; reducing the vulnerability and risks
of extreme events and climate change; expanding and disseminating knowledge on
the global role of oceans; developing and applying national technologies for the
sustainable use of marine resources; and promoting innovation in products, services
and processes related to the sustainable use of marine resources.
49
Of the several actions implemented by each Sectorial Plan for Marine Resources,
only those concerning the marine environment of the continental shelf are of interest
to this study. It is the case to mention the 1994 REVIZEE, 1997 REMPLAC, and the
2005 REVIMAR.
The 1994 Program for the Assessment of the Sustainable Potential of EEZ Living
Resources (REVIZEE) resulted from the IV PSRM (1994–1998) and was
implemented by the Brazilian Environmental Institute, IBAMA. The Program
addressed the fisheries sector and aimed at identifying the living resources of the
EEZ and the environmental conditions of their occurrence. Subsequently, authorities
47 The VIII Sectorial Plan, for instance, focused on the relationship between “Sea, Coastal Zone and
Antarctica”, thus embracing concerns with natural resources of the coastal zone—not directly the
topic of this work.
48 IX PSRM, CIRM Resolution 191/4, 2016, 5.
49 Pursuant to Decree no. 6.678/2008, which instituted the VII PSRM, valid from 2008 to 2011.
Concerning the continental shelf, two objectives called attention: (f) to investigate the mineral
potential of the continental shelf and the international seabed, also aiming at acquiring the right of
exploitation and mineral exploitation in the Area; and (k) to promote studies and suggest the
updating of Brazilian legislation with a view to its application in all aspects concerning the
resources of the sea.
9.1 Marine Environmental Governance in Brazil: Policies and Institutions
259
ecosystems, as well as the need for amplified participation of different stakeholders.
The rationale behind such an integration was that, without the incorporation of all
interested parties, effectiveness will be harder to reach. In addition to the integrated
management and the participatory drafting and execution of the plans’ actions, they
are also inspired by a precautionary approach to the exploration and exploitation of
the oceans.
47
The IX PSRM built on the previous ones and maintains the integrated and
participatory management model between Ministries, development agencies, academic and scientific communities and the private sector, who eventually collaborated to the Plan’s elaboration and shall cooperate in the execution of joint,
comprehensive actions. Among the topics of interest to the IX Sectorial Plan,
“sustainability” occupied a privileged spot in practically every paragraph, alongside
marine conservation efforts. Among the Plan’s objectives, one can quickly spot
(i) the monitoring of living marine resources and their conservation, sustainable
exploration and exploitation; (ii) the exploration of coastal and marine biodiversity,
with a view to its conservation; (iii) the research of non-living resources and their
economic potential, both in areas within and beyond national jurisdiction; (iv) the
environmental research and monitoring of the deep sea.
48 Overall, marine
environment-related concerns of the current and previous Plans have focused on
ensuring the quality of the marine environment; reducing the vulnerability and risks
of extreme events and climate change; expanding and disseminating knowledge on
the global role of oceans; developing and applying national technologies for the
sustainable use of marine resources; and promoting innovation in products, services
and processes related to the sustainable use of marine resources.
49
Of the several actions implemented by each Sectorial Plan for Marine Resources,
only those concerning the marine environment of the continental shelf are of interest
to this study. It is the case to mention the 1994 REVIZEE, 1997 REMPLAC, and the
2005 REVIMAR.
The 1994 Program for the Assessment of the Sustainable Potential of EEZ Living
Resources (REVIZEE) resulted from the IV PSRM (1994–1998) and was
implemented by the Brazilian Environmental Institute, IBAMA. The Program
addressed the fisheries sector and aimed at identifying the living resources of the
EEZ and the environmental conditions of their occurrence. Subsequently, authorities
47 The VIII Sectorial Plan, for instance, focused on the relationship between “Sea, Coastal Zone and
Antarctica”, thus embracing concerns with natural resources of the coastal zone—not directly the
topic of this work.
48 IX PSRM, CIRM Resolution 191/4, 2016, 5.
49 Pursuant to Decree no. 6.678/2008, which instituted the VII PSRM, valid from 2008 to 2011.
Concerning the continental shelf, two objectives called attention: (f) to investigate the mineral
potential of the continental shelf and the international seabed, also aiming at acquiring the right of
exploitation and mineral exploitation in the Area; and (k) to promote studies and suggest the
updating of Brazilian legislation with a view to its application in all aspects concerning the
resources of the sea.
9.1 Marine Environmental Governance in Brazil: Policies and Institutions
259