In recent years, two national workshops were held to discuss alternative possible paths towards a Brazilian Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) agenda (UNESCO / IUCN, 2011; Ministr y of the Environment, 2014). Since then, this agenda gained gradual importance among actors in the public sphere and civil society. For this reason, the Inter-ministerial Commission for Marine Resources (CIRM), through its Secretariat (SECIRM), is establishing partnerships to start this intersectoral and intragovernmental dialogue so as to advance a coherent MSP agenda. Also noteworthy are the Coastal Ecological Economic Zoning initiatives conducted by the Ministry of the Environment (MMA) and the role of intersectoral coordination fulfilled by the Coastal Management Integration Group (GIGERCO), bringing together different federal government agencies under the scope of CIRM.
In 2013, CIRM Resolution No. 1/2013 created the GT-UCAM (Working Group on Shared Uses of the Marine Environment). In 2014, two subgroups were established within this WG: the Legislation Subgroup (LEG), whose objective is to conduct surveys of legislation and institutional legal and regulatory framework aimed at harmonizing the shared uses of the marine environment; and the Marine Spatial Planning Subgroup (MSP), which aims to propose guidelines, tools and methodologies that can be employed to support decision-making related to the GT-UCAM. More recently (May 2017), this WG agreed upon a work plan to enable Brazil to take further steps towards the establishment of a national marine spatial planning process.
In the upcoming years, CIRM will be facilitating an inter-ministerial work plan to co-design the institutional guidelines to promote Marine Spatial Planning processes (MSP) for waters in national jurisdiction.
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Community or Locally Managed Marine Areas
- Integrated Coastal Management
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Large Marine Ecosystem approach
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation
- Other (please specify): Shoreline Conservation
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
- Training and professional development
- Scientific cooperation
- Transfer marine technology
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want
Type of commitment
- Activities to raise awareness of the comprehensive legal and policy framework for the sustainable development of oceans and seas, in particular UNCLOS, its Implementing Agreements and other relevant ocean-related instruments and promote their effective im
- Activities to develop the capacity of States towards broader participation in and effective implementation of UNCLOS and its implementing Agreements
- Strengthening ocean governance, for example through the development of a national ocean policy or regional ocean policy
- Development of necessary infrastructure and/or enforcement capabilities to comply with international law, as reflected in UNCLOS and as complemented by other ocean-related instruments
Dec/2017
Capacity building MSP course for government officials and the Group of Technical Advisers involved in the work plan of the GT-UCAM
Dec/2018
Diagnostic map (covering the Territorial Sea, the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf) with spatial distribution of uses
Dec/2018
Updated version of the VADE MECUM of the Marine Environment, compiling Federal Legislation on the shared uses of the marine environment
Nov/2020
Adoption of recommendations on possible guidelines for the development and implementation of marine spatial planning process
Brazil
