Advancing community-led fisheries management and ocean conservation across Brazil
Brazil is one of the world’s most biologically diverse countries, home to 60% of the Amazon Rainforest. Along its northern coast, where the Amazon River meets the Atlantic Ocean, lies the Amazon Coast. Nestled within this biome is the world’s second-largest mangrove forest, stretching across Amapá, Pará, and Maranhão states. These rich coastal ecosystems support fisheries that provide food security and livelihoods to millions of Brazilians, many of whom also depend on smallholder farming to support their families.
Most of Brazil’s small-scale fishers live on the Amazon Coast. Unsustainable fishing practices, habitat degradation, poor fisheries management, and climate change threaten these coastal fishers and their fisheries. Through community-led solutions, Rare works with coastal communities to restore fisheries, protect biodiversity, strengthen food security and livelihoods, advance gender equity, and build climate-resilient futures.
of Brazil’s fish is caught by small-scale fishers
total estimated value of Brazil’s small-scale coastal fisheries
of global mangrove forests are found in Brazil
Strengthening community leadership in coastal fisheries management
Rare partners with coastal communities and governments to strengthen fisheries management and local leadership. Our work focuses on the Community Seas — the nearshore waters where millions depend on healthy fisheries for food, livelihoods, and cultural identity.
Rare works with coastal communities and local leaders to establish community-managed fishing areas with “no-take” marine reserves to protect and rebuild fisheries while strengthening livelihoods. Rare also works to secure these areas as OECMS, strengthening community rights and contributing to broader conservation goals.
Coastal 500 is the largest global network of mayors and local government leaders committed to fostering thriving and prosperous coastal communities.
The Rare approach to community-led conservation
We work with communities to lead conservation and build the conditions that help it last.
This includes strengthening rights, governance, livelihoods, and culture, while also working beyond the community level to ensure policies, finance, and other systems sustain these efforts over time.
Designing solutions that work for people and nature
We design solutions grounded in how people make decisions and act. We work with communities to align new practices with local priorities, social norms, and daily realities — and use tools and technology to support adoption, learning, and scaling.
Strengthening policies that support community leadership
We work with communities and governments to shape policies that recognize local leadership and support long-term stewardship of natural resources.
Expanding access to finance for communities
We connect communities to financial tools and opportunities that strengthen livelihoods and help them adapt to environmental and economic change.
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Partners in Brazil
Rare works with a wide range of partners to strengthen coastal fisheries management and ocean conservation.
We are grateful to the partners and supporters whose collaboration makes this work possible.
Partner with us
Healthy oceans depend on strong partnerships and community leadership.
If you are interested in partnering with Rare in Central America or supporting community-led fisheries management, we would love to hear from you.
Contact Us
For more information on Rare’s work in Brazil, please contact us.
