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| Brazilian Marine Mammal Society | |
|---|---|
| Name | Brazilian Marine Mammal Society |
| Native name | Sociedade Brasileira de Mamíferos Aquáticos |
| Formation | 1987 |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Purpose | Research, conservation, education |
| Headquarters | Rio de Janeiro |
| Region served | Brazil |
| Language | Portuguese |
| Leader title | President |
Brazilian Marine Mammal Society The Brazilian Marine Mammal Society is a national scientific association dedicated to the study and conservation of cetaceans, pinnipeds, sirenians, and other aquatic mammals along the Brazilian coastline and adjacent oceanic islands. Founded in the late 20th century, the Society brings together academic researchers, field biologists, conservationists, and policy advocates to address threats to marine mammals through research, monitoring, and public engagement. It operates within a network of institutions spanning Brazilian states and international organizations to influence conservation policy and scientific practice.
The Society was established in 1987 amid growing concern for coastal biodiversity highlighted by events such as the Tampa Bay oil spill and the global rise of marine conservation movements exemplified by organizations like Greenpeace and World Wide Fund for Nature. Early founders included academics affiliated with Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, University of São Paulo, and Federal University of Santa Catarina who had collaborated on surveys around Fernando de Noronha, Trindade Island, and the Abrolhos Marine National Park. Through the 1990s the Society developed field programs influenced by methodologies from institutions such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the Smithsonian Institution. It later participated in national initiatives connected to Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, contributing to conservation measures linked to the creation of Costa dos Corais National Marine Park and management plans for Ilha Grande Bay. The Society has been involved in policy dialogues during sessions of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The Society’s mission aligns with scientific standards promoted by organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Society for Marine Mammalogy, and the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Objectives include population assessment influenced by protocols from the International Whaling Commission, threat mitigation modeled on responses to incidents like the Prestige oil spill, and habitat protection strategies reflecting designations of Ramsar Convention wetlands and UNESCO biosphere reserves. The Society aims to inform decision-making in agencies such as the Ministry of the Environment (Brazil) and to support legislation comparable to the Endangered Species Act and regional instruments like the South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary.
Membership comprises researchers from universities including Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Federal University of Pará, and State University of São Paulo, practitioners from NGOs such as SOS Mata Atlântica Foundation and Petrobras' environmental units, as well as students from institutes like the Brazilian National Institute for Amazonian Research and the National Institute of Oceanography. The governance model features a Board of Directors, technical committees, and regional chapters operating in states such as Rio de Janeiro (state), Bahia, and Santa Catarina. The Society maintains working groups on topics paralleling committees within the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and standards influenced by the Brazilian Society for the Advancement of Science. Annual general meetings are scheduled alongside conferences similar to the International Marine Conservation Congress and symposia held at venues like the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo.
Programs cover strandings response modeled after protocols at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center and population monitoring employing techniques used by the Dolphin Research Project and Project Jonah. Research includes studies of humpback whale migration connecting to corridors like those near Porto Seguro and investigations of Amazon river dolphin populations comparable to programs at the National Institute of Amazonian Research. Conservation initiatives address bycatch reduction strategies inspired by work with the Food and Agriculture Organization and gear modifications trialed with fishing cooperatives in regions such as Pernambuco and Ceará. The Society contributes data to global databases maintained by institutions like the Ocean Biogeographic Information System and collaborates with genetic labs at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation for population genetics and health assessments reflecting methodologies from the Cetacean Health and Stranding Response Network.
Educational efforts include school programs modeled after curricula from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and public campaigns co-designed with media partners such as Rede Globo and Agência Brasil. Outreach targets coastal communities in municipalities like Ilhéus and Niterói and engages indigenous groups near the Amazon River and quilombola communities along the Bahia coast. The Society produces materials comparable to field guides published by the British Trust for Ornithology and hosts workshops with stakeholders including representatives from the Brazilian Navy, the National Congress of Brazil, and municipal administrations to promote marine mammal-friendly practices.
Key collaborations include partnerships with universities such as University of Exeter and University of British Columbia, conservation NGOs like Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Conservation International, and intergovernmental bodies including the United Nations Environment Programme and the Inter-American Development Bank. The Society has worked with research vessels operated by entities like Instituto Oceanográfico and commercial partners including Vale S.A. on monitoring projects, while engaging legal experts connected to the Brazilian Bar Association on regulatory frameworks. Collaborations extend to regional initiatives involving the Western South Atlantic Shark and Ray Accord and networked projects with the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force.
The Society issues awards recognizing contributions in fields akin to prizes from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and publishes a peer-reviewed journal and technical reports similar to publications from the Journal of Cetacean Research and Management and the Marine Mammal Science journal. Its bibliographic outputs are housed in repositories such as the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations and cited in assessments by the IUCN Red List and reports to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The Society also curates conference proceedings presented at venues like the XVII International Congress of Zoology and produces identification guides for species recorded in databases managed by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
Category:Environmental organizations based in Brazil Category:Marine mammal conservation