Survey and assessment of seabed resources from the Brazilian continental shelf by the law of the sea: From national to international jurisdictions

Abstract

Known as “Blue Amazon”, the Brazilian Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) has one of the richest marine ecosystems of the world with a huge potential of seabed resources. Focusing on the state of Brazil, the present study describes the state of the art of Brazilian maritime mining operations in the EEZ and areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BNJ), and further analysis it in the light of the main institutional arrangements and the compliance with the articles of The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) related to seabed resources. Thus, UNCLOS’ articles related to Brazilian seabed resources were evaluated for the EEZ and areas BNJ, as well as their resources and policies implemented for research, prospection and exploitation of them. In the period between 2000 and 2017, after 22 years of UNCLOS ratified in Brazil, most of these assessments were speculative and focused on the exploitation of seabed resources in the EEZ in the near future. Recent studies in areas BNJ showed, for the first time, the economic and political interest in exploiting the cobalt-rich crust (Rio Grande Rise) and polymetallic nodules (North Brazilian Chain). Despite the low levels of investment and technologies to explore huge depths in Brazilian EEZ and areas BNJ, the scientific programs and national policies pointed the resources of relevant mineral interest. Conservatively, the seabed resources of Brazilian EEZ and areas BNJ presented several peculiarities in the marine environment that demand certain instruments of mineral and environmental legislation be created in Brazil. Also, most of Brazilian programs and projects have few studies that focus on the impact of mining activities; instead, most focus on research and prospection to serve their scientific and economic interests. Special attention should be directed to seabed resources primarily for the South Atlantic, to establish a multi-use territory for present and future generations.