The Brazilian Environmental Institute (Ibama) considered that the structures set up by Petrobras to rescue marine animals in the Foz do Amazonas Basin were “adequately designed” and have the necessary equipment. The institute highlighted, however, that special attention needs to be paid to manatees, which would be under threat.
The assessment was made in the opinion in which Ibama authorized Petrobras to drill an exploratory well in the region. The decision was celebrated by the company, but viewed with concern by environmentalists.
The institute reported that “no obstacles to issuing the license were identified”, but determined a series of obligations. One of them is the payment of R$39 million, as environmental compensation, due to the impact of the project.
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One of the main points evaluated was the strategy for protecting fauna. The opinion highlights that Petrobras established two rehabilitation centers, one in Amapá and the other in Pará, for emergency care in cases of accidents.
“Both structures were adequately designed and have all the equipment for the purposes for which they are intended, whether it is the reception and rehabilitation of aquatic animals, aiming to return them to the natural environment”, says the text.
Ibama highlighted, however, that there are two species of manatees in the region and that 55 of them are being rehabilitated in Pará, “with an insufficient management and release structure”. In Amapá, five animals are in captivity, “some of them in enclosures of inadequate dimensions, and without an established strategy for release”.
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“In short, Petrobras must have its infrastructure set up to support regional initiatives related to the handling and management of threatened aquatic species, with an emphasis on manatees. The company’s participation must be aligned with other initiatives underway in the States of Pará and Amapá, seeking to improve conservation strategies for sirenians on the north coast of the country. All actions and work prioritizations they must be guided by technical criteria, aligned with Ibama”, determines the opinion.
The license may be suspended or canceled in the event of “violation or inadequacy of any legal conditions or standards”, “omission or false description of relevant information, which supported the issuance of the license” or “the occurrence of serious environmental or health risks”.
