Cenários e desafios da energia eólica offshore e da pesca artesanal nos municípios de Galinhos e Caiçara do Norte (RN)

Abstract

With the consolidation of onshore wind energy in Brazil, the country is turning its attention to the expansion of offshore production, with 103 projects awaiting licensing from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources - IBAMA. Of these, 14 are planned on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Norte (RN). The imminent implementation of offshore wind power in RN raises concerns about the socio-environmental impacts, especially for artisanal fishing, since the projects affect municipalities with traditional fishing communities, such as Galinhos and Caiçara do Norte. The objective of this research is to investigate how artisanal fishermen and fisherwomen in RN perceive the potential risks associated with offshore wind production in the development of their activities. To this end, this research adopts a qualitative approach, with case studies and semi-structured interviews. The hypothesis is that offshore wind generation has the potential to negatively influence artisanal fishing in RN, generating socio-environmental risks and local conflicts that already precede its implementation, with the possibility of increasing. The main results indicate that, in Galinhos and Caiçara do Norte, fishermen and fisherwomen perceive the installation of offshore wind projects as a direct risk to their activities.