low speed in which concrete measures were met to implement specific objectives of
the Program indicate it lags behind in the priority scale of the Brazilian authorities. In
other words, it is unlikely that mineral exploitation of deep-sea areas under national
jurisdiction will start anytime soon, what does not speak for the exploitation of
hydrocarbons. The latter is likely to happen in the near future, as the key Brazilian oil
production company has shown interest in carrying on activities in slots farther away
from offshore.
The IX PSRM (2016–2019) reiterates the REMPLAC project, but this time on a
different methodology. Where the surveying of the continental shelf potential has
traditionally been rather generic/ample, future research shall be detailed and focus on
specific minerals. According to the Plan, the REMPLAC shall concentrate on
detailing specific potential mining sites along the Brazilian continental shelf, limiting
itself to surveying specific minerals, such as aggregates employed in civil construction and materials used as soil correctives, such as marine bioclasts, necessary for the
development of agriculture.
55 The “renewed” REMPLAC also contains the identification and evaluation of the biotechnological potential associated with the mineral
resources of the continental shelf. The economic logics behind the REMPLAC
stands out, with little being said and done with respect to the marine environment
of the continental shelf.
Of the actions designed within the PSRMs, the one most directly governing the
management of the Brazilian marine environment is the 2005 Action for the Assessment, Monitoring and Conservation of Marine Biodiversity (REVIMAR), coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment. Its goals are to evaluate, monitor and
promote the conservation of marine biodiversity, with an ecosystem approach.
Broadly, the REVIMAR sets out to ensure the monitoring and conservation of
existing ecosystems in coastal and marine areas. Based on the conclusions and
scientific data obtained by the REVIZEE Program, the REVIMAR Action aims to
establish scientific bases and integrated actions capable of subsidizing measures
towards the shared management of the Brazilian marine biodiversity, as well as the
conservation and sustainable use of living resources under national jurisdiction.
The specific goals of the REVIMAR regard directly the management of the
Brazilian continental shelf: to continuously evaluate five protected areas of reef
ecosystems offshore—no reports available online; to continuously evaluate the
conservation status of marine species, aiming to subsidize conservation policies
including updating the lists of endangered species; to implement at least 70% of
the actions of the Actions and Programs of previous PSRMs regarding threatened
ecosystems—no reports available online; to develop and implement recovery plans
for at least 75% of endangered marine species—no reports available online; and,
55 IX PSRM (2016) 21. Due to the above-mentioned methodological “adaptation”, the index of
progress associated to the individual actions of the REMPLAC has dropped to zero. It is as if a new
phase of the Program was about to start, one which expects to raise detailed material on the mineral
potential of only three specific portions of the Brazilian continental shelf.
9.1 Marine Environmental Governance in Brazil: Policies and Institutions
261
the Program indicate it lags behind in the priority scale of the Brazilian authorities. In
other words, it is unlikely that mineral exploitation of deep-sea areas under national
jurisdiction will start anytime soon, what does not speak for the exploitation of
hydrocarbons. The latter is likely to happen in the near future, as the key Brazilian oil
production company has shown interest in carrying on activities in slots farther away
from offshore.
The IX PSRM (2016–2019) reiterates the REMPLAC project, but this time on a
different methodology. Where the surveying of the continental shelf potential has
traditionally been rather generic/ample, future research shall be detailed and focus on
specific minerals. According to the Plan, the REMPLAC shall concentrate on
detailing specific potential mining sites along the Brazilian continental shelf, limiting
itself to surveying specific minerals, such as aggregates employed in civil construction and materials used as soil correctives, such as marine bioclasts, necessary for the
development of agriculture.
55 The “renewed” REMPLAC also contains the identification and evaluation of the biotechnological potential associated with the mineral
resources of the continental shelf. The economic logics behind the REMPLAC
stands out, with little being said and done with respect to the marine environment
of the continental shelf.
Of the actions designed within the PSRMs, the one most directly governing the
management of the Brazilian marine environment is the 2005 Action for the Assessment, Monitoring and Conservation of Marine Biodiversity (REVIMAR), coordinated by the Ministry for the Environment. Its goals are to evaluate, monitor and
promote the conservation of marine biodiversity, with an ecosystem approach.
Broadly, the REVIMAR sets out to ensure the monitoring and conservation of
existing ecosystems in coastal and marine areas. Based on the conclusions and
scientific data obtained by the REVIZEE Program, the REVIMAR Action aims to
establish scientific bases and integrated actions capable of subsidizing measures
towards the shared management of the Brazilian marine biodiversity, as well as the
conservation and sustainable use of living resources under national jurisdiction.
The specific goals of the REVIMAR regard directly the management of the
Brazilian continental shelf: to continuously evaluate five protected areas of reef
ecosystems offshore—no reports available online; to continuously evaluate the
conservation status of marine species, aiming to subsidize conservation policies
including updating the lists of endangered species; to implement at least 70% of
the actions of the Actions and Programs of previous PSRMs regarding threatened
ecosystems—no reports available online; to develop and implement recovery plans
for at least 75% of endangered marine species—no reports available online; and,
55 IX PSRM (2016) 21. Due to the above-mentioned methodological “adaptation”, the index of
progress associated to the individual actions of the REMPLAC has dropped to zero. It is as if a new
phase of the Program was about to start, one which expects to raise detailed material on the mineral
potential of only three specific portions of the Brazilian continental shelf.
9.1 Marine Environmental Governance in Brazil: Policies and Institutions
261