Fishers restore waste-covered mangroves in Rio de Janeiro

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In response to decades of industrial pollution, untreated sewage, and urban development in Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay, local fishers and the organization Guardiões do Mar launched Projeto UÇÁ in 2012. The project integrated scientific research with community participation, employing traditional fishers and crab collectors to remove waste and plant over 64,500 mangrove seedlings. To date, these efforts have successfully restored 18.2 hectares of mangrove habitat, resulting in the return of more than 60 animal species. The initiative effectively linked the livelihoods of local fishing communities to environmental conservation by providing payments for their involvement in habitat restoration and maintenance.

Consequences

The project is scheduled to restore an additional 20 hectares of mangrove between 2025 and 2028, continuing the development of ecosystems capable of supporting complex wildlife. This sustained effort is expected to strengthen the resilience of local communities that rely on the bay for their livelihoods while fostering long-term ecological recovery.

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