Our project

Stakeholders’ perspectives on the creation and effects of a bottom trawl ban in Brazil

Bottom trawling has contributed to declining fish populations and conflict between fishing sectors in southern Brazil. Rio Grande do Sul banned bottom trawling within 12 nautical miles of its coast in 2018, a measure that was upheld by Brazil’s Supreme Court in 2023.

The ban provides a rare opportunity to examine a major fisheries policy measure through the experiences of the people affected by it. Our research explores how this policy was developed, how it is being enforced, and how it is affecting both ecosystems and livelihoods. Our findings will help guide more effective strategies to mitigate the damage caused by bottom trawling, not just in Brazil, but globally.

Goal

To understand the creation and effects of the Rio Grande do Sul bottom trawl ban and identify lessons to improve fisheries management around the world.

Who

The research is led by Guilherme Suzano, an MSc student and Project Seahorse researcher, with support from a research assistant. The study engaged fishing communities and others connected to the fishery across Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Two Brazilian NGOs, a Brazilian university and a government agency helped shape the research questions.

What we’re doing

Documenting experiences: Carried out more than 350 interviews with artisanal and industrial fishers, NGOs, researchers and government officials.
Examining the policy: Investigating the events that led to the ban, the decision-making process, and its implementation and enforcement.
Understanding the effects: Exploring how the ban has affected fisheries, fishing communities and perceptions of changes in fish populations and the marine environment.
Identifying lessons: Drawing together different perspectives to identify what worked, what did not, and what could inform future fisheries decisions.