Marine Terrain (Terrenos de Marinha) in Brazil: concepts and historical Evolution in the contexto of integrated coastal management

Abstract

This work focuses on the so-called brazilian “Terrenos de Marinha” (Marine Terrain), from its managing institution: the Secretariat for Coordination and Governance of the State Property [Federal] (SPU), currently in the structure of the Ministry of Economy. The central issue here is the role and potential of Marine Terrain in territorial public policies for coastal management in Brazil, analyzing the evolutionary legislation in the light of integrated coastal management and proposing conceptual and legal consolidations regarding the territorial policies that apply over the Marine Terrain. The concept of Marine Terrains defines a physical dimension, demarcated in plan or topographic chart and allocable in concrete, geometric space. The methodological approach called Decalogue for Integrated Management was used, which presents conceptual instruments with special emphasis on public policy issues, analyzing in an integrated way the environmental, socioeconomic aspects and the challenges that the various interests and existing and planned uses on the coast impose on the State and Society. The Federal state property management regarding Marine Terrains has evolved from the period of the Empire to the present, with an emphasis on three main aspects: the topographical position of the Marine Terrains, its public nature and the consequent possibilities of destination (costly or not). Modernly, the delimitation of Marine Terrains has gained new dimensions beyond the State Property, such as the environmental issue and coastal management, becoming essential elements for that, especially from the perspective of ecosystem services and territorial management.