en.Wedoany.com Reported - The aquatic ecosystem restoration of the Doce River Basin (Bacia do Rio Doce) will receive an investment of R$232.7 million, funded by the Priority Aquatic Ecosystem Ecological Restoration Project (Projeto de Restauração Ecológica de Ecossistemas Aquáticos Prioritários) under the Doce River Repair Agreement (Acordo de Reparação do Rio Doce). Coordinated by the State Forest Institute (IEF, Instituto Estadual de Florestas), the project has an initial term of five years, extendable to twenty years.
The initiative aims to restore the riverbeds and aquatic habitats of the Doce River and its tributaries and streams, enhance biodiversity, and promote the gradual recovery of native fish populations within the basin.
Through detailed mapping, the project will implement aquatic habitat restoration actions in the sub-basin of the Santo Antônio River (Rio Santo Antônio), focusing on improving river ecological conditions. According to Ariane Goulart, Director of the Wildlife Bureau (DFAU), planned measures include constructing bioengineering structures, removing small dams, dredging critical river sections, and restoring key areas for foraging, shelter, and reproduction of native species. During the initial five-year execution period, interventions will concentrate on the Santo Antônio River sub-basin, considered strategically important for aquatic fauna conservation.
Another significant aspect of the project is controlling exotic and invasive fish species throughout the Doce River Basin. This will involve using traditional fishing and electrofishing techniques, with priority given to hiring local fishers. The measure aims to promote environmental restoration while creating employment and income opportunities for local communities. The project also plans to establish an extensive environmental monitoring network to regularly track the quality of aquatic habitats, biodiversity, and existing fish populations in the basin. The data obtained will be used to assess the effectiveness of actions and guide adjustments to restoration strategies.
To remedy or prevent fish escapes from aquaculture facilities and adjust biosecurity measures, the project will work jointly with local fish farmers, including interventions in aquaculture facilities, assistance in developing standard operating procedures to reduce escape losses, and support for individual screening. In addition to environmental interventions, the project will conduct environmental education targeting fishers, ornamental fish store operators, riverside communities, and residents to broaden public participation in river conservation and encourage sustainable water resource use practices.
According to the IEF, the project will directly improve the environmental conditions of water bodies in the basin, promote the restoration of aquatic ecosystems, and create conditions for the gradual and sustainable recovery of fishing activities. Fishing is a vital source of income for many communities affected by the collapse of the Fundão Dam (Barragem de Fundão) in 2015. Leandro Guimarães, Manager of Aquatic Fauna Conservation and Restoration and Fisheries, summarized that the reconstruction of functionally degraded aquatic habitats can create biodiversity conservation core areas with high aquatic biodiversity and high environmental quality. The initiative is currently in its final phase of technical analysis and adjustments, with a tender notice for execution expected to be published in July 2026, and the first actions scheduled to begin in 2027. The Fundão Dam collapse resulted in 19 deaths and caused massive environmental damage. The agreement was signed in October 2024 by the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, the federal government, prosecution authorities, the public defender's office, and the companies Samarco, Vale, and BHP Billiton.
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