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A diver observes a tree trunk covered in algae and coral reef in Angra dos Reis, a preservation area off the coast of Rio de JaneiroMaFelipe / Getty Images“There are shortcomings in the implementation of existing public policies for conservation of the marine environment,” said Alexander Turra, a biologist from the University of São Paulo’s Oceanography Institute and one of the coordinators of the Summary for decision makers on the first Brazilian marine-coastal diagnosis of biodiversity and ecosystem services, released at the end of November. Written by 65 university researchers and 26 representatives of Indigenous and traditional peoples, with funding from the Brazilian Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (BPBES) and the UNESCO Chair for Ocean Sustainability at USP, the 36-page document highlights the importance of the sea to the economy and climate regulation. It also describes the transformations taking place in the marine environment, such as a loss of biodiversity, and calls for more effective protection and governance. “The reduction in mangrove areas means less protection against flooding and less capacity to sequester carbon from the atmosphere,” said Turra. Fishing needs to be monitored very closely to avoid a collapse of fish stocks.” The summary will be sent to government agencies, private companies, research centers, nongovernmental organizations, museums, and schools.
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