Ocyan will remove 100 tons of waste from Guanabara Bay in one year

Ocyan has partnered with BVRio to extend a waste collection initiative to the port area of Rio de Janeiro, targeting waste dumped in Guanabara Bay. This week, the company is launching the “Clean Bay” project, which will fund about 20 fishermen from two traditional colonies in Caju and Ilha do Governador. They will dedicate two days a week to ‘fishing’ for waste, with the goal of removing 100 tons from Guanabara Bay in 12 months.

“The support for the project reinforces Ocyan’s concern with actions aimed at environmental and climate proactivity and opens the resumption of actions in the new phase of the socio-environmental responsibility platform post spin-off. Guanabara Bay is the second largest bay on the Brazilian coast and for decades it was the main access to Brazilian lands. In addition, today one of the 10 largest ports in Brazil operates on part of its perimeter. “We know that to clean it up requires a collective effort that unites Government and private initiative, but it is important that everyone does their part,” comments André Luiz Barros, manager of Communication, Social Responsibility, and Diversity at Ocyan. He also highlights that the initiative represents a social action, as it financially supports and encourages local fishermen, and is closely linked to Sustainable Development Goals 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and 14 (Life Below Water).

BVRio will record the items collected through its KOLEKT waste management application, and will be responsible for dealing with waste disposal and providing data on the quantity and identification of waste. This way, it will be possible to monitor everything that is being collected and efficiently certify the recovery of waste with recycling potential. The material collected for separation will be delivered to Ilha do Fundão, in Rio de Janeiro.

The partnership also contributes to the artisanal fishing throughout the region, strengthening the fishing community, as it enables the regeneration of species through the removal and collection of trash. It also supports the fishermen to continue working at sea, their place of work.

“In less than two years of the project, we have managed to remove more than 200 tons of waste from the Bay. In this short period, fishermen have already reported an increase in the number and size of crabs in the mangroves. “This support from Ocyan for the expansion of ‘Fishing for Waste’ is essential for us to amplify the environmental and social impacts,” says Pedro Succar, a specialist in circular economy at BVRio.

“I’m very happy and would like to thank you for the opportunity to be part of this project, which is a great help to fishermen. Me and my fellow professional we have only one complaint: the floating garbage. Most of the time when we cast our nets, we don’t catch fish, the net comes up filled with a lot of trash. During this tough period when fishing is poor, being part of this project is wonderful because it generates income for us and sustains our livelihood,” says Gileuda Silva Barbosa, known as Branca, an artisanal fisher on Fundão Island.

Social and Environmental Responsibility

The initiative is part of Ocyan’s Social and Environmental Responsibility platform and the partnership with BVRio is one of the new initiatives that the company envisions for the coming years. “We are formatting projects that involve social, environmental, education and diversity issues. These agendas together have great transformational power,” he said.