Among more than environmental programs maintained by Paraná Ports, at least tem of them are focused on water and sea species conservation. The public company continuously monitors Paranaguá Estuary Complex, in aquatic ecosystems and mangroves.

Water Quality Monitoring Programme

Water quality is monitored in 32 collect points, in Paranaguá Bay as well as in open sea.

In each point, samples are collected, from surface, middle and bottom of the water column, totalizing 86 samples per campaign. This analysis considers 60 parameters for environmental quality and checks if I all is in accordance with the borders established by specific legislation.

Sediment Quality Monitoring Program

Analysis of sea sediments, such as rock pieces, stones and soil that are taken to the oceans, allows identify erosion indicators and other occurrences related to man´s actuation on the nature.

Sample collections are made in 23 points. Every three months 35 parameters are analysed in each sample in order to verify if all is according legal limits. The program also offers results to subsidize planning for executing maintenance dredging in the bay.

Aquatic Biota and Bio-indicators Determination Monitoring Program

Marine and estuarine bodies are seen as bio-indicators for environmental quality in Paranaguá Bay and are monitored on a quarterly basis by Appa. Aquatic Biota Monitoring Program is composed by 6 sub-programs and run by collections and analysis of several biotic groups, such as plankton  (phytoplankton, zooplankton and icthyoplankton), benthos (bodies associated to substrates), carcinofauna (crabs) and icthyofauna (fishes).

Another action involves the assessment of shellfishes´ tissues contamination by heavy metals and hydrocarbons. Also, visual and photographic surveys are carried out in cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises), chelonian (turtles) and birds in different points of the influence area within Paraná Ports.  

Ballast Water Management Program

Monitoring of water used by ships to balance weigh variation during upload and download operations, which is called ballast, is essential to control an eventual invasion of exotic species in Paranaguá Bay.

 When a ship coming from another country approaches Brazil with its tanks full with ballast water, it must to exchange water present in its tanks in ocean area.

In other words, before exceeding the limit of 200 nautical miles in Brazilian coast, in a place that is at least 200 meters deep, ships change ballast water three times. The exchange is demanded as estuarine bodies that are eventually present inside the tanks are not adapted to survive in ocean water, as well as oceanic bodies are not adapted to survive in estuaries or bays.

Fishing Activity Monitoring Program

It monitors artisanal fishing in 33 communities within Paranaguá Estuarine Complex.

 It assesses quantity and quality of products, artifacts and fishing vessels used by fishing communities that act in the area.

 Since 2013, fishing disembarkations have been monitored in Antonina, Paranaguá and Pontal do Sul, in seven warehouses.

Mangroves Monitoring Program

It assess development of trees and erosive processes in mangroves located around Paranaguá and Antonina ports.

Mangroves are typical from coastal regions and the soil is usually muddy and rich in organic material.

Also, vegetation has long roots which provide shelter, food and soften water movement, so they are considered reproduction places for marine fauna species.

Phytosociological Monitoring

Paraná ports follow conservation state of mangrove forests in four representative areas within Paranaguá Estuarine Complex: Rocio, Oceania, Amparo and Ilha do Mel, where is found water mangrove

 (Laguncularia racemosa), black mangrove (Avicennia schaueriana) and red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle).  Data helps management actions, social communication and environmental education programs.

Erosive Processes Monitoring

It analysis exit (erosion) or arrival (sedimentation) of sediments at beaches in the communities of Amparo, Encantadas, Maciel, Oceania, Piaçaguera e Rocio. Intention is identifying trends and executing repairing action on a medium and long term.

Mangroves Clean-up

Every two months cleaning task-forces are organized in Oceania and Rocio. Besides waste removal the aim is raising awareness about the importance of ecosystem and right ways to disposal residues.