Brazil

Brazil entered into a data-sharing memorandum of understanding in April 2021 between Global Fishing Watch and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, represented by the Secretariat of Aquaculture and Fisheries. This agreement marked the official start of our collaboration with the South American country and an important milestone on the journey toward data transparency and equitable ocean governance.

With the decision to publicly share vessel monitoring system data on the Global Fishing Watch map, Brazil increases governance over the more than 1,500 vessels in its national fleet operating in jurisdictional waters, setting an important example and improving fishing transparency throughout the region.

Global Fishing Watch and the Brazilian authorities work together to ensure good fisheries management and promote sustainability of the country’s fish stocks, which include high-value species like Brazilian sardines, skipjack tuna, lobster, and other demersal species such as hake, conger eels, and stripes.

Since 2007, Brazil has employed a vessel tracking system for monitoring, control  and surveillance of its national fishing fleet. Over the years, the program has aided the verification of fishing authorizations, the monitoring and analysis of fishing activities, and the evaluation of certain fisheries management measures.

“The partnership between Global Fishing Watch and the Secretary of Aquaculture and Fisheries from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Chain it’s a great opportunity for the Brazilian fishing sector show its potential to the world, as well our intend to promote the modernization of the fisheries management in our EEZ, make decisions based in evidences and leverage transparency,” Jorge Seif Junior – Aquaculture and Fisheries Secretariat

“The country fishing vessel monitoring data opening will deeply support fisheries science and management advance in Brazil, will strengthen fisheries control and promote accountability throughout industrial and commercial fishing in the South Atlantic,” Natali Piccolo – Director of Registration, Monitoring and Promotion of Aquaculture and Fisheries Department.

The joint work with Global Fishing Watch helps the country not only to align with the global trend of improving fisheries management but also strengthen its current vessel monitoring system and bolster compliance with regulations in its waters. Safeguarding the sustainability of marine resources is essential for Brazil since approximately 3.5 million people—half of them women—depend directly and indirectly on fishing and aquaculture in the country.