Oil Spill and Socioeconomic Vulnerability in Marine Protected Areas

Abstract

The extensive oil spill (> 2,900 km) that occurred in the southwestern Atlantic (2019/2020) increased the vulnerability of the Brazilian coast, affecting marine and coastal protected areas (MPAs). In addition to supporting conservation, MPAs are sustainably used by local populations to help maintain ocean-dependent livelihoods. In this sense, we aim to assess the socioeconomic vulnerability of human communities in MPAs affected by this major oil spill. Using digital mapping, we assessed the socioeconomic vulnerability of 68 human communities living in or near 60 MPAs of different categories that were impacted by this spill. This is the first assessment of the vulnerability status of human populations under significant levels of poverty and social inequality, which are particularly dependent on healthy and effective Brazilian MPAs. More than 6,500 enterprises and institutions were mapped, including trade activities, services, tourism, and leisure venues. Most enterprises (34.4%) were involved in the food sector, related to the ocean economy, and, therefore, highly vulnerable to oil spills. Furthermore, the majority (79.3%) of the vulnerable activities are concentrated in multiple-use MPAs, with extractive reserves coming second and accounting for 18%. This result shows the high vulnerability of this tropical coast to oil accidents and the risks to food security for traditional communities. We also found a heterogeneous vulnerability indicator along the coast, with the most vulnerable regions having an undiversified economic matrix heavily dependent on activities such as fishing, family farming, tourism, accommodation, and the food sector. Thus, this study provides a tool to help prevent and mitigate economic losses and increases the understanding of the weaknesses of MPAs in the face of large-scale disasters, thus helping to build socioeconomic and ecological resilience.

Can the ocean economy in Brazil become blue?

“…The BE concerns both the fields of economics and public policy, and this presents a series of challenges for countries. In the case of Brazil, which has extensive national maritime space, there are many opportunities for the sustainable use of its potential extension, but there are also challenges that need to be overcome, such as the protection of marine ecosystems (Andrade and Santiago, 2020;Andrade and Soares, 2017;Soares et al, 2020), the socio-economic vulnerability of certain social groups (Câmara et al, 2021;Silva et al, 2022) and the trend toward privatization of activities developed in the oceans (Young, 2015;Vinhoza and Schaeffer, 2021;Vega-Muñoz et al, 2021). It is therefore crucial that stakeholders develop public policies and regulatory frameworks taking into account the different activities related to the Brazilian coast from economic, social and environmental points of view.…”

“…Fishing and aquaculture, which are also relevant sectors for the ocean economy, play an extremely important role in Brazil from economic, social and environmental perspectives. These activities significantly contribute to food security, job creation, regional development and the conservation of aquatic resources (Câmara et al, 2021;Silva et al, 2022;Soares et al, 2020).…”

“…Economically, fishing and aquaculture represent a source of income for thousands of artisanal fishermen, fisherwomen and aquaculturists, as well as for the fish processing and marketing industries. The fisheries and aquaculture sectors generate direct and indirect jobs, boosting the local and national economies (Andrade and Soares, 2017;Silva et al, 2022). However, the lack of official data to quantify these activities and measure the volume of income they generate has been identified as a major challenge by experts and organizations (Andrade et al, 2022).…”

“…However, the lack of official data to quantify these activities and measure the volume of income they generate has been identified as a major challenge by experts and organizations (Andrade et al, 2022). Improved databases and measurement methods can therefore provide a better understanding of the Brazilian fisheries and aquaculture sectors and help stakeholders identify and address the related needs and challenges (Silva et al, 2022).…”

Hydrocarbons occurrence and transcriptomic response of oyster Crassostrea virginica from lagoons of the Southern Gulf of Mexico

“…The study of oil pollution in the global oceans and coastal areas confronts two opposing aspects of human activities: first, the alteration of marine and coastal ecosystems caused by the operations of extraction, refining, transport, storage, and the use of oil as the primary source of energy; and second, the undeniable need to preserve and protect marine resources for our current benefits and future generations (Suprenand et al, 2020;Da Silva et al, 2022). In this sense, the impacts of human activities on coastal ecosystems have been poorly understood and underestimated, with the widespread acceptance of the finite capacity of coastal waters to buffer the pressures of man and his activities.…”