Flexibilização normativa e conflitos socioambientais: o avanço da carcinicultura sobre o mangue sergipano

Abstract

Mangroves, a transitional ecosystem between terrestrial and marine environments, are increasingly degraded by human activities. The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) reports a significant increase in shrimp production in Brazil between 2018 and 2021, with Sergipe being one of the states that followed this trend. Therefore, this study aims to assess the implications of changes in state legislation on land use and land cover and deforestation resulting from shrimp farming in the state of Sergipe between 2012 and 2023. The study is based on the premise that the relaxation of state environmental regulations directly influenced the conversion of mangrove areas to shrimp farms, contributing to the increased degradation of this ecosystem. The analysis of land use and land cover was carried out using data from Mapbiomas and economic data on shrimp production in Sergipe. The results indicate that, in the period analyzed (2012-2023), mangrove coverage had a reduction equivalent to 6.9%, while the area occupied by shrimp farming increased by 276.3%, driven by legal changes that simplified licensing and reduced environmental requirements. The study concludes that the relaxation of regulations contributed to the environmental degradation of mangroves, with the highest equivalent rate of mangrove reduction being observed when compared to the data presented in global bibliographic references. The research highlights the need for public policies that balance economic development and environmental preservation, promoting the sustainability of shrimp farming and the protection of the national heritage represented by mangroves.