yet in force, nor had been domestically ratified in Brazil. During the first phase of
data collection, about 330,000 km of multi-channel, bathymetric, magnetic and
gravity seismic data were collected along the entire length of the Brazilian continental margin.
88
Those events preceded the adoption of the Brazilian Continental Shelf Survey
Plan (LEPLAC), as part of the II Marine Resources Plan, in order to collect geodesic
and bathymetric data for the delineation of the outer limits of the Brazilian shelf.
89
LEPLAC emphasized the importance of surveying the outer edge of the Brazilian
continental margin as a way to integrate living and non-living resources to Brazil’s
socioeconomic reality, to increase knowledge on them and to promote their rational
use. The Survey Plan was also praised as a means to enhance the Brazilian influence
over the South Atlantic Ocean through a pioneering activity that could serve as a
cooperation tool with other countries washed by that ocean.
90
Working within LEPLAC were the Navy, Petrobras, the National Department of
Mineral Production, Higher Graduate Schools on Geology and Marine Geophysics,
as well as members of the scientific community. In fact, the Decree no. 98.145/1989
had the Survey Plan stimulate the employment of Brazilian researchers and the
private sector in surveying activities. LEPLAC’s initial field-work lasted for about
10 years and gathered data over more than 350,000 km of the Brazilian seafloor.
During the twenty expeditions of its initial phase, bathymetric, seismic, gravimetric
and magnetometry data were collected on a gigantic scale, the costs of which have
been estimated in over US$ 40 million, conjointly spent by the Navy (with ship
employment and project execution) and Petrobras (acquisition and processing of
geophysical data).
91
In short, the Survey Plan represented the possibility for Brazil not only to gather
the data needed for a formal submission on the outer limits of its continental shelf to
the CLCS, but also to increase national knowledge on the marine environment
thereon. The delineation of the outer limit of the continental shelf is considered a
fundamental legacy for future generations in Brazil, as it enables increased possibilities of new petroleum fields farther away offshore, the exploitation of biotechnology
and biogenetics, as well as the exploitation of non-living resources at depths not yet
commercially viable. The technology for that is there, as Petrobras proves to be one
of the most advanced companies worldwide with technical skills and know-how to
conduct such hardcore exploitation. The legacy is also related to the international
88 Marinha do Brasil. LEPLAC—O Brasil além das 200 milhas. Apresentação da Região Sul nas
Nações Unidas. Sep 2017.
89 The first LEPLAC was approved by Decree no. 95.787/1988, which was revoked by Decree
no. 98.145/1989 one year later.
90 LEPLAC underscored its usefulness in meeting one of the essential objectives of Brazil’s foreign
policy in relation to the South Atlantic, to foster the development of the potential of the countries of
the region through a cooperative effort among them, without interference by foreign powers.
91 Marinha do Brasil. Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegação. LEPLAC—Plano de Levantamento da
Plataforma Continental Brasileira. Available online at: https://www.mar.mil.br/dhn/dhn/quadros/
ass_leplac.html. Accessed 11 April 2020.
272
9 The Environmental Dimension of the “Brazilian Blue...
data collection, about 330,000 km of multi-channel, bathymetric, magnetic and
gravity seismic data were collected along the entire length of the Brazilian continental margin.
88
Those events preceded the adoption of the Brazilian Continental Shelf Survey
Plan (LEPLAC), as part of the II Marine Resources Plan, in order to collect geodesic
and bathymetric data for the delineation of the outer limits of the Brazilian shelf.
89
LEPLAC emphasized the importance of surveying the outer edge of the Brazilian
continental margin as a way to integrate living and non-living resources to Brazil’s
socioeconomic reality, to increase knowledge on them and to promote their rational
use. The Survey Plan was also praised as a means to enhance the Brazilian influence
over the South Atlantic Ocean through a pioneering activity that could serve as a
cooperation tool with other countries washed by that ocean.
90
Working within LEPLAC were the Navy, Petrobras, the National Department of
Mineral Production, Higher Graduate Schools on Geology and Marine Geophysics,
as well as members of the scientific community. In fact, the Decree no. 98.145/1989
had the Survey Plan stimulate the employment of Brazilian researchers and the
private sector in surveying activities. LEPLAC’s initial field-work lasted for about
10 years and gathered data over more than 350,000 km of the Brazilian seafloor.
During the twenty expeditions of its initial phase, bathymetric, seismic, gravimetric
and magnetometry data were collected on a gigantic scale, the costs of which have
been estimated in over US$ 40 million, conjointly spent by the Navy (with ship
employment and project execution) and Petrobras (acquisition and processing of
geophysical data).
91
In short, the Survey Plan represented the possibility for Brazil not only to gather
the data needed for a formal submission on the outer limits of its continental shelf to
the CLCS, but also to increase national knowledge on the marine environment
thereon. The delineation of the outer limit of the continental shelf is considered a
fundamental legacy for future generations in Brazil, as it enables increased possibilities of new petroleum fields farther away offshore, the exploitation of biotechnology
and biogenetics, as well as the exploitation of non-living resources at depths not yet
commercially viable. The technology for that is there, as Petrobras proves to be one
of the most advanced companies worldwide with technical skills and know-how to
conduct such hardcore exploitation. The legacy is also related to the international
88 Marinha do Brasil. LEPLAC—O Brasil além das 200 milhas. Apresentação da Região Sul nas
Nações Unidas. Sep 2017.
89 The first LEPLAC was approved by Decree no. 95.787/1988, which was revoked by Decree
no. 98.145/1989 one year later.
90 LEPLAC underscored its usefulness in meeting one of the essential objectives of Brazil’s foreign
policy in relation to the South Atlantic, to foster the development of the potential of the countries of
the region through a cooperative effort among them, without interference by foreign powers.
91 Marinha do Brasil. Diretoria de Hidrografia e Navegação. LEPLAC—Plano de Levantamento da
Plataforma Continental Brasileira. Available online at: https://www.mar.mil.br/dhn/dhn/quadros/
ass_leplac.html. Accessed 11 April 2020.
272
9 The Environmental Dimension of the “Brazilian Blue...