Management Considerations

Abstract

Among coastal regions of the southwestern Atlantic, the Patos Lagoon and surrounding lands, particularly the estuary and adjacent waters, stand out because of their ecological (zone of biological production and maintenance of biodiversity) and socio-economic significance (port, industrial, agricultural, fishing, tourist activities). Historically, socio-economic demands tend to collide with ecological preservation, and increasing anthropogenic activities are likely to jeopardize the health of the Patos Lagoon, estuary, and coast (Seeliger and Costa, Sect. 10). Therefore, the need to understand, plan, and manage these systems has become an issue of priority. During the 1980s a National Plan for Coastal Management was implemented by the Brazilian government, aiming to subsidize macrozonation, planning, management, and monitoring efforts. Thematic mapping (1:100 000) was expected to offer recommendations for the use of the coastal zone and the inner continental shelf, considering legal restraints, social needs, and the heterogeneity and potential of the region.