Incentives to Mariculture Development in Brazil: Environmental Injustice on Traditional Fishing Communities

Abstract

AbstractThis study aimed to identify the main mariculture development policies over the last two decades in Brazil and analyze how government-driven mariculture affects small-scale fishing communities. Methods included document analysis of government policies and environmental regulations, semi-structured interviews to key informants from government and artisanal fishers’ organizations, and field observations. Results show that the passing of the new Brazilian Forest Code in 2012 stimulated shrimp farming by allowing this activity in areas formerly protected for conservation. Additionally, the federal government created a system to grant public marine areas to stimulate mariculture. Those initiatives signal a potential ‘blue revolution’ to the global fisheries market and promote the privatization and commoditization of public sea, land, and other natural resources, according to Blue Economy precepts. The emerging scenario points to the intensification of social and environmental injustices, mainly on coastal fishing communities, which are subject to the expropriation of their traditional territories and the extinguishment of their traditional livelihoods. It is imperative that the Brazilian state commits to implementing policies that correct these injustices, which can be supported by greater compliance with interactive governance precepts.KeywordsAquacultureFishery policiesSmall-scale fishersOcean grabbingBlue Economy