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In Pará, Fishermen from Marajó Hold Protest Against Oil Exploration in the Mouth of the Amazon, Highlighting Environmental Risks, Threat to Artisanal Fishing, and Direct Impacts on Traditional Communities in the Region
Artisanal fishermen from the community of Jubim, on Marajó Island, held a symbolic protest against oil exploration in the Mouth of the Amazon this Sunday (21). The demonstration gathered 16 boats in a line on the river, with banners demanding an end to new wells and warning about environmental risks.
The act takes place six weeks before COP30, which will be held in Belém, and is part of the international campaign “Draw the Line,” with mobilizations in over 90 countries.
Marajó Fishermen’s Act: Resistance in the Amazon
“COP30: Amazon Stand Up, Oil on the Ground” was the message displayed on the banner that crossed the river during the protest. Fishermen from Marajó warn that opening a new frontier for oil exploration directly threatens marine ecosystems and the food security of riverine communities.
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Nelson Bastos, a fisherman and researcher at Federal University of Pará (UFPA), stated that if oil exploration intensifies, artisanal fishermen in Marajó will face even greater risks to their livelihoods.
Artisanal fishing is the main source of income for thousands of families in the region. The presence of large vessels is already affecting the activity, leading to torn nets and frightening schools of fish. With oil exploration, the risks multiply.
Mouth of the Amazon: A Sensitive Area Under Threat
The Mouth of the Amazon is considered one of the most sensitive regions of the Brazilian coast. Studies by IBAMA and environmental institutions indicate that the biome is home to endemic species and unique reef systems, such as the carbon reefs discovered in 2016.
Petrobras intends to drill wells about 170 km from the Amapá coast and at a depth of 2,880 meters. The project is in the environmental licensing phase and requires authorization for Pre-Operational Assessment (APO).
A potential oil spill could cause irreversible damage to the biodiversity of the coastal Amazon, affecting not only the environment but also the local economy based on artisanal fishing.
Protest and International Mobilization Against Oil Exploration
The protest by Marajó fishermen is part of an international mobilization that occurred from September 15 to 21, during the UN General Assembly in New York. The campaign “Draw the Line” gathered more than 600 actions in 90 countries, aimed at pressuring world leaders for concrete measures against the climate crisis.
In Brazil, besides Marajó, there were demonstrations in Belém, Manaus, Rondolândia, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Curitiba. Indigenous, riverine, and quilombola organizations supported the act, along with environmental collectives such as 350.org, Observatório do Marajó, and the campaign “We Are the Response”.
Amazon and Traditional Communities at Risk
The region of Mouth of the Amazon is part of the so-called Equatorial Margin, which extends along the coast of Amapá, Pará, Maranhão, Piauí, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte. This area is home to one of the largest mangrove belts in the world and coral reefs that are still little studied.
Oil exploration directly threatens this biodiversity. According to Greenpeace, the “corals of the Amazon” are unique formations and would be impacted by oil activities. A study by Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) identified corals, sponges, and rodolites in the region, reaffirming the need for preservation.
The presence of the oil industry can compromise water quality, drive fish away, and destroy traditional ways of life, as warned by Marajó fishermen.
Environmental Licensing and Political Controversies
The Petrobras project to explore oil in the Mouth of the Amazon faces technical and political resistance. In May 2024, IBAMA denied a request from the state-owned company to drill in the basin, citing a lack of infrastructure and high environmental risks.
Among the criticisms, the response time in case of an accident stands out: vessels would take up to 48 hours to reach the site, increasing the risk of oil reaching the Brazilian coast. The decision generated tension between the Ministries of Environment and Mines and Energy.
The political pressure to accelerate the process may compromise technical analysis and environmental safety, according to experts from UFPA and the Amazon Environmental Research Institute (IPAM).
Marajó Fishermen and the Impact on Artisanal Fishing
Artisanal fishing is an essential activity for the livelihoods of Marajó communities. According to socioeconomic studies conducted in fishing communities on Marajó Island, artisanal fishing represents the main economic and subsistence activity locally, being responsible for sustaining the majority of families in the region.
With the arrival of large cargo ships and the possibility of oil exploration, fishermen face increasing challenges. Nets are taken by vessels, schools of fish move away, and insecurity rises.
Oil exploration poses a direct threat to the culture, economy, and food sovereignty of the traditional communities on the Island.
Sustainable Paths for the Development of the Amazon
The holding of COP30 in Belém, scheduled for November 2025, places Brazil at the center of global climate discussions. The protest by Marajó fishermen gains even more relevance in this context, highlighting the conflicts between economic development and environmental preservation.
The Amazon cannot be seen merely as a frontier of resources. It is a natural and cultural heritage that needs to be protected. Investments in renewable energies, community tourism, and sustainable fishing can generate income without destroying the environment.
The active participation of Marajó fishermen and other traditional communities is essential to ensure fair and balanced decisions.
What Is at Stake for the Amazon and the World?
The protest by Marajó fishermen against oil exploration in the Mouth of the Amazon is a powerful alert about the environmental and social risks involved in large-scale projects in the Amazon. The international mobilization and support from social organizations reinforce the legitimacy of the cause.
According to the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), fossil fuel exploration is one of the main causes of global warming. Preserving the Amazon is preserving the future of the planet.
Listening to the communities that live in and protect this territory is an ethical and strategic duty. COP30 will be a decisive moment for Brazil and the world to choose between sustainable progress and the repetition of predatory models.
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