Brazil signs deal to triple seaside area under protection
World Bank director for Brazil Deborah Wetzel and Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira, during signing ceremony of the agreement for the protection of Brazil's seaside areas
Brazil's Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira signed last week a deal with the World Bank earmarking $18.2 million for the expansion of the country's seaside area under protection. The agreement comes as part of a program entitled “GEF Mar – Maritime Areas Under Protection”. The investments under the initiative, including the funds from the federal government, amount to $117 million. The region is expected to increase from the current 5.5 million to 17.5 million hectares.
“The [program] is in effect as of now. It will work to create units for the conservation of maritime and coastal ecosystems and foster studies aimed at new management models for the existing areas,” Teixeira declared. She further explained that the initiative will promote the conciliation of fishing, low-impact tourism, and oil exploration, without harming biodiversity.
Today, only 1.5% of Brazil's coast is protected by the Program Protection Areas in the Maritime and Coastal Network. According to Sergio Collaço, director of the Department for Protected Areas, under the Environment Ministry, the goal is to reach 5%.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Brazil signs deal to triple seaside area under protection
