Coordination of knowledge-networks for the co-evolution of Brazilian polycentric ocean governance systems

Abstract

This 24-month research project aims to improve understanding of what is needed to enhance Brazilian state's capacity to coordinate ocean governance. It will provide for the empirical research underpinnings to a learning agenda that has just being inaugurated by the Secretary of the Intergovernmental Commission on Sea Resources (SECIRM - pt: Secretaria da Comissão Interministerial para os Recursos do Mar), and will run from 2017-2018 (see attached recommendation letter by SECIRM). SECIRM is facilitating an interministerial workplan to co-design the guidelines for a long-term Brazilian Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) process for its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The proposed research will combine quali-quantitative, inter-trans/disciplinary methods to diagnose the capacities of operating Brazilian ocean knowledge-networks to augment the country' governability towards the oceans. The completion of the proposed two-year research plan will result in various scientific, peer-review papers and policy briefs but, and foremost, is designed to leverage experiential and experimental social learning. The impact of the proposed research will thus also (and more importantly) be assessed in terms of how it successfully enables the co-evolution of polycentric and area-based ocean governance systems, with a focus in the rising of a Brazilian EEZ-level social process of ecosystem-based Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). This project will provide the scientific knowledge needed to help the Brazilian society navigate the transition towards enhanced sustainability in an important, extensive part of the Atlantic and hence of our global ocean. (AU)