By Anaide W. Aued
In the first half of 2024, the research activities in the South Brazilian Shelf (SBS) Case Study (CS) area provided many outputs. We will highlight four pieces of news about the activities in the SBS CS area:
- Article ‘Under Pressure’ (2024) by Scherer, M.E.G. et al.
- Seminar on Ocean and Climate Change by INPO
- Public hearing in Albardão, Brazil
- Participation at the Ocean Decade Conference 2024 in Barcelona, Spain
1. Article ‘Under Pressure’ (2024) by Scherer, M.E.G. et al.
Economic activities on the South Brazilian Shelf (SBS) primarily occur along the coast, leading to various environmental impacts. Using the Integrated Ecosystem Assessment methodology, this study identified 16 sectors and 19 pressures affecting 18 ecological components. Key sectors include fishing, industry, tourism, and coastal infrastructure, while major pressures involve species bycatch, water contamination, and waste generation. The assessment, validated by literature and stakeholder input, underscores the need for public policies to mitigate these impacts and enhance regional ocean sustainability.
Sankey diagram of linkages between sectors (left), the pressures these exert (middle), and the ecological components they impact (right). The width of lines (color-coded according to pressures) represents the Impact Risk score (product of overlap, frequency, and degree of impact).
Read the full article: Scherer, M.E.G., Sardinha, G.D., Souza, V., Gandra, T.B.R., Floeter, S.R., Liedke, A.M.R., Rodrigues, A.R., Bonetti, J., Gomes, V., Fernandes, L., Ferrari, D.S., Silva, F.C., Conti, L.A., Pedreschi, D. & Gasalla, M.A. (2024). Under pressure: an integrated assessment of human activities and their potential impact on the ecosystem components of the Southern Brazilian continental shelf. npj Ocean Sustain 3, 9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44183-024-00044-y
2. Seminar on Ocean and Climate Change by INPO
Marinez Scherer, co-coordinator of the SBS Case Study, participated in the Seminar on Ocean and Climate Change organised by the recently established National Institute of Oceanographic Research. During the seminar, Marinez coordinated a round table on Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), highlighting relevant public policies. She showcased how data from Mission Atlantic, including the results of ODEM and habitat mapping, are being utilized to support MSP efforts in Brazil.
Marinez Scherer, co-coordinator of the SBS Case Study
3. Public hearing in Albardão, Brazil
In April 2024, a public hearing was held to discuss the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) on the southern coast of Brazil within the SBS case study area. The event drew an attendance of 1,200 people, the majority of whom opposed the MPA. The hearing underscored the need for more public consultations and information dissemination to facilitate this process. Data and results from the Mission Atlantica project could play a significant role in informing the discussions.
Marinez Scherer, co-coordinator of the SBS Case Study, represented the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change at the hearing. She explained the importance of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in the design of MPAs.
Public hearing to discuss the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) on the southern coast of Brazil within the SBS case study area
4. Participation at the Ocean Decade Conference 2024 in Barcelona, Spain
SBS Case Study was represented by Marinez Scherer at the side-event #LifeOnShore to the UN #OceanDecade Conference in April. This side-event was co-organised by Mission Atlantic and partners and aimed to discuss marine and coastal restoration for nature and people, in the context of the Ocean Decade Challenges and expected Outcomes, from different stakeholder perspectives.
Photo Credit: Yasmin Victor. Showing from left to right: Isabel Sousa Pinto, Marc García-Durán Huet, Christina Pavloudi, Andreea Strachinescu, Marinez Scherer, Patrizio Mariani, Elena Roddom, Adriana Verges.
Read more about Mission Atlantic's Satellite Event LIFE ON SHORE to the Ocean Decade Conference 2024