For almost 40 years funding research and initiatives to protect the marine environment, Petrobras started supporting four new projects aimed at this ecosystem. Chosen through public selection, within the scope of the Petrobras Socio-Environmental Program, the environmental projects for the conservation of the southern right whale, the budião (parrot fish), the gray boto and the migratory birds of the Northeast are added to another 20 initiatives with a focus in the conservation of different Brazilian species and ecosystems currently supported by the company.

“Our relationship with the sea has been going on for a long time. We were pioneers in the country when we started the partnership with the Tamar project, 39 years ago. Today, with the four new projects contracted, Petrobras starts to act in the protection of 52 marine species, all over the Brazilian coast ”, comments the executive manager of Social Responsibility of Petrobras, Olinta Cardoso.

The right whale, the only one to reproduce in Brazilian waters, is one of the new species protected with the support of Petrobras, through the sponsorship of the Franca Austral project. Headquartered at the National Right Whale Conservation Center, in Imbituba (SC), Franca Austral develops research and conservation activities for right whales, in addition to promoting education and awareness activities in coastal communities.

The Budiões project works on the conservation of five species, environmental education and research on these animals, considered important for the balance and conservation of coral reefs. Budiões carries out its activities in seven states: Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Maranhão and Rio Grande do Norte.

The Boto-Grey project, based in Cananéia, on the south coast of São Paulo, aims at knowledge and conservation of the species and its habitat. In addition to scientific research, the project team promotes educational activities, environmental awareness and appreciation of local culture.

Fourth initiative to reinforce Petrobras' sponsorship portfolio, the Migratory Birds of the Northeast Project conducts monitoring and conservation actions to protect 21 marine and coastal species of migratory and resident birds along the Atlantic route, contributing to the National Conservation Action Plan of Limicose Birds, which are species that depend on humid environments to live and seek food in the areas between tides and margins of aquatic bodies. Research, conservation, local and international cooperation, and community involvement at all stages of the process aim to ensure that important areas for feeding and resting birds are not destroyed due to human occupation. The actions take place in 27 municipalities in the states of Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte.

“It is a common characteristic of our sponsored projects to produce scientific knowledge, generate technical information to support public policies and carry out educational activities. We are a company that has always invested in scientific knowledge. We encourage research and networking, with partners from academia and other institutions, as a way of increasing actions for the conservation of species ”, says Olinta Cardoso.

Petrobras Social and Environmental Program 

Investing in socio-environmental projects is one of Petrobras' ten sustainability commitments and is carried out in a structured manner through the Petrobras Socio-Environmental Program. In 2019, R $ 52.5 million was invested in sponsoring environmental conservation initiatives. The sponsored projects aim to protect and recover almost 60 species of fauna threatened with extinction, many of which are part of marine and coastal biodiversity, which are relevant environments for Petrobras.

The projects sponsored by Petrobras also operate in networks, promoting joint and articulated actions. The Marine Biodiversity Project Network (Biomar), created in 2007, for example, brings together the Tamar, Jubarte Whale, Coral Vivo, Golfinho Rotador, Meros do Brasil and Albatroz projects. The Biomar Network operates in 13 states and 87 municipalities, researching and conserving coral environments and 24 species, most of which are threatened with extinction, with 5 species of sea turtles, 6 species of albatrosses and petrels, 2 species of dolphins, 10 main species of corals and a species of whale, the Humpback.

The performance of the Biomar Network presented the following innovative actions and results:

- Dissemination of new scientific knowledge about oceans and their species (more than 720 scientific papers, including 10 joint articles);

- Recovery of the humpback whale population of about 2,000 individuals (2001) to an estimated 20,000 (2019);

- Humpback whale and browed albatross left the national list of threatened species in 2014;

- About 40 million protected turtles;

- Development of social technologies, such as the Brazilian toriline, a line with colored ribbons that works as a scarecrow for birds, avoiding the capture of these animals (Projeto Albatroz);

- Research on the consequences of climate change for turtles and reef organisms, such as mesocosm, a controlled experimental system to test the effects of climate and water acidification (Coral Vivo and Tamar Projects);

- Scientific subsidies for the elaboration of public policies for the protection of marine biodiversity;

- Creation of the Jovem Mar Network, promoting the role of more than 120 young people in marine conservation actions;

- Creation, dissemination and implementation of good sustainability practices in the management of tourist services by the sea (Baleia Jubarte, Coral Vivo and Golfinho Rotador projects);

- Mobilization for the marine cause and reduction of pressure on species (more than 9 million participants in awareness-raising actions; more than 170 thousand benefited in training and support to local productive groups for income generation, including through the use non-lethal species);

- Active participation in six National Action Plans for species conservation;

-Representation in official marine conservation meetings: more than 2200 national and 117 international (16 countries).

All of these results contribute, primarily, to SDG 14 - Conservation and sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, among the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals.