The project “Marisqueiras com Orgulho, Quilombolas para Sempre” (Proud Shellfish Gatherers, Quilombolas Forever) which was conceived in 2015, has been transforming the lives of approximately 30 families through the communal cultivation of oysters in the district of Capanema, in Maragojipe. The project has been developed with the support of various partners such as the State Secretariat for Women’s Policies – SPM-BA, Regional Development and Action Company – CAR, Vovó do Mangue Foundation, Rare Brasil, ICMBio / Baía do Iguape Marine Extractive Reserve, and Enseada Indústria Naval.

Since 2017, Enseada has been supporting the Mariquilombo Association project with the aim of promoting a viable economic alternative for the shellfish gatherers families and contributing to the financial autonomy of these women, who are mostly heads of households, through sustainable oyster farming. The project seeks to develop capacities in collaboration with other partners to implement measures that sustain long-term results in the fishing and gathering territories of the region.

Enseada has recently acquired 300 dozen matrices of Mariquilombo oysters that were donated to the association of shellfish gatherers in São Roque do Paraguaçu district, with the purpose of boosting the oyster farming project there. On May 23, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) kits were distributed, consisting of gloves, hats and UV shirts (protection against ultraviolet radiation), in order to promote better working conditions and safety for Capanema’s shellfish gatherers.

Enseada’s initiative is included in the scope of the Fishing Directive Plan (PDP) under the Fisheries Activity Sustainability Program (PSAP), as outlined in its environmental licensing. The PDP, specifically under its Axis III, supports productive fishing and sustainable cultivation projects aimed at increasing the income of fishermen and shellfish gatherers through the implementation of sustainable initiatives.

Maria Rita, the coordinator of the Mariquilombo association, commented on Enseada’s support for the project: “I would like to thank and congratulate Enseada for everything they have done here at the Association. A few years ago, they managed to move the Coelba power pole to a more convenient location, allowing us to request electricity and carry out the electrical installation. You have also been helping other shellfish gatherers associations in São Roque that got 300 dozen oysters for the project. And this week, you provided us with personal protective equipment (PPE), which was greatly appreciated by everyone because the work environment can be quite hazardous. Gratitude for everything, you are to be congratulated.”

More information about the Mariquilombo association:

In 2018, the association received the Barra Mulher Award, which for the first time in nine editions, honored a collective of women, highlighting their achievements in cooperative work and female entrepreneurship. In 2017, The project was one of the ten recipients of the Consulado da Mulher Trophy and was awarded a piece of land for the construction of its headquarters.

Recently the project was benefited by the Regional Development and Action Company and the Rural Development Secretary, with the acquisition of boats, machinery, and equipment to support fishing and oyster farming.06