The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) in Brazil is currently investigating whether dredging operations at the Port of Recife are the primary cause of increased marine pollution affecting local fishermen. Residents and workers in the area report that their nets are returning with significantly less seafood and a higher volume of trash, threatening their livelihoods.
Solange Maria da Silva, a shellfish gatherer working in the Pina Basin where rivers meet the sea in Recife's southern zone, describes a severe drop in productivity. She notes that while she previously harvested 20 kg of mollusks daily, her current catch rarely exceeds 1 kg. According to Solange, waste has replaced the sururu clams in her traps, stating that instead of catching seafood, they are now collecting garbage.
While the fishing of sururu, shellfish, and oysters is naturally seasonal and typically declines during the rainy season, fishermen report that nets have been returning emptier since mid-2026. This trend affects both those working in sandbanks and those venturing into deep waters. Video evidence provided by fishermen shows lobster traps filled with plastic debris, including PET bottles, bags, and disposable cups. The fishing community attributes this worsening pollution to the dredging activities at the Port of Recife.
Sandra Lima, president of the local fishermen's colony, asserts that the dredging is impacting 100% of the fishers in the area. Since late June 2026, two dredges have been deepening port channels to accommodate larger vessels. These machines suck up mud, clay, and sand from the canal floor through pipes to deposit them offshore. Fishermen claim that accumulated trash on the seabed is being stirred up and spread by this process.
However, the Port of Recife administration denies that the dredging is harming fishing activities. They state that a grate filters all collected waste, which is then sent to sanitary landfills. Alexandre Costa, the port's engineering projects coordinator, argues that it is unlikely the dredging is the cause, suggesting that seasonal turbidity naturally reduces catches and noting that all dredging vessels are monitored.
The MPF is investigating the situation and attempting to mediate an agreement between the parties. Prosecutor Antônio Nilo Rayol emphasized the need to find a model that allows for economic development while adhering to environmental legislation and considering social components. Meanwhile, Múcio Banja, a professor at the University of Pernambuco, suggests that the pollution is also the result of decades of environmental disregard. He highlights the need for education and intensified public policies to address communities that discard waste into rivers.
For those dependent on fishing in these waters, the situation remains critical as they await a solution. One shellfish gatherer expressed the urgency of the matter, noting how many fishermen are left without sustenance for their children and emphasizing that preserving the river is essential for their survival.
Sources: G1.