Thesis (MAppSc) -- AUT University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (221 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 333.9171600285574 PAL)

Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas) turtles recruit to nearshore environments as juveniles. These often degraded habitats are associated with emerging diseases such as green turtle fibropapillomatosis (GTFP), however there are few studies on immune function in sea turtles. The objective of this research was to quantify phagocytosis of the innate immune system by flow cytometry and compare levels between animals from a degraded habitat (the Indian River Lagoon, FL) to a more pristine environment (the Trident Basin, Port Canaveral, FL), and across a range of temperatures. While in vitro temperatures did not alter rates of phagocytosis, it was higher in samples obtained in the summer than winter. Rates of phagocytosis in sea turtles with GTFP and from degraded environments with increased prevalence of GTFP were low compared to animals from the more pristine environment, suggesting that the environment can alter innate immunological function and thus contribute to the development of disease. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Orientador: Adilson Fransozo / Resumo: A abundância dos camarões R. constrictus e X. kroyeri, assim como, as variáveis ambientais, mostraram relevantes alterações ao longo de um intervalo de 20 anos na Enseada de Ubatuba. Como observado, ocorreu uma deposição de sedimentos finos, a qual resultou em um aumento expressivo na fração da classe C na enseada. Essa sedimentação, provavelmente foi causada pela interação de fenômenos naturais e atividades humanas. Com relação a distribuição espacial e abundância de R. constrictus e X. kroyeri, ficou claro que as características do substrato foi um fator importante. R. constrictus manteve o mesmo padrão de distribuição em ambos os períodos, com preferência por locais com areia fina e muito fina e heterogêneo. Por outro lado, para X. kroyeri foi mais abundante em sedimento mais fino. Tal sedimentação que ocorreu na enseada pode ter contribuído de modo positivo para esta espécie, reforçando a importância do sedimento e suas características na explicação nos padrões de sua distribuição. Temporalmente, R. constrictus pode ser mais tolerante em relação a temperatura de fundo, o qual não apresentou um padrão de distribuição, sendo no primeiro período teve maior abundancia na primavera e no segundo período no outono, diferente de X. kroyeri apresentou o mesmo padrão de distribuição em temperaturas entre 21ºC e 26ºC. Além da deposição de sedimentos finos na Enseada de Ubatuba, demais fatores como áreas de exclusão natural de pesca, as medidas de gestão e manejo criadas, com o limit... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The abundance of the R. constrictus and X. kroyeri shrimps, as well as the environmental variables, showed relevant changes over a 20-year interval in the Ubatuba Bay. As observed, a deposition of fine sediments occurred, which resulted in an expressive increase in the fraction of class C in the cove. This sedimentation was probably caused by the interaction of natural phenomena and human activities. Regarding the spatial distribution and abundance of R. constrictus and X. kroyeri, it was clear that the substrate characteristics were an important factor. R. constrictus maintained the same pattern of distribution in both periods, with preference for sites with fine and very fine and heterogeneous sand. On the other hand, for X. kroyeri it was more abundant in thinner sediment. Such sedimentation that occurred in the cove may have contributed positively to this species, reinforcing the importance of the sediment and its characteristics in the explanation in the patterns of its distribution. Temporally, R. constrictus may be more tolerant to background temperature, which did not present a distribution pattern, being in the first period had greater abundance in the spring and in the second period in autumn, different from X. kroyeri presented the same pattern temperatures between 21ºC and 26ºC. In addition to the deposition of fine sediments in the Ubatuba Cove, other factors such as areas of natural fishing exclusion, the management and management measures created, with the limi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) can be found worldwide, inhabiting tropical and subtropical coastal waters. The loggerhead was classified as an endangered species and placed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List in 1996 (IUCN 2006).The problem of sea turtle mortality as a result of collisions with vessels is of increasing concern, especially in the southeastern United States, where increased development along the coasts results in increased recreational boat traffic. In the United States, the percentage of strandings that were attributed to vessel strikes has increased from approximately 10% in the 1980's to a record high of 20.5% in 2004 (NMFS 2007). This report presents results from field experiments designed to investigate the ways in which loggerhead sea turtles are injured in boat collisions, and the effectiveness of several mitigation options for reducing the risk of fatal interactions. In order to conduct these field experiments, a synthetic sea turtle carapace was designed and built that approximated the structural behavior of a biological sea turtle carapace. Hodges (2008) quantified the material strength properties of loggerhead sea turtle carapaces. From these results, it was determined that the target parameter for simulating tensile strength in a synthetic carapace should be force per unit width of sample. Hodges designed and constructed an artificial carapace made of composite material for use in controlled experiments. Modifications were made to the design proposed by Hodges (2008) to facilitate rapid construction. Several designs were tested using the force per unit width as the target strength parameter and compared to the strength of the biological carapace. Tests on the design ultimately adopted showed a force per unit width 17.6% stronger than the biological carapace. The composite material being stronger than the biological carapace means the testing will result in conservative reports of damage. Once the design and construction methods were finalized, approximately 60 artificial carapaces were fabricated for field testing. A frame, weighting scheme and buoyancy unit were designed and fabricated so that each test carapace floated at proper draft and had realistic specific gravity and weight. Field testing procedures were designed to investigate the influence of a) boat speed, b) animal position in the water column, and c) vessel propulsion system on the severity of vessel collisions on turtles. All experiments were done with small (<6 m in length) vessels. Boat/sea turtle collisions were simulated by placing a test specimen (a synthetic carapace attached to a test frame) in the water column and striking it with the vessel. The speeds considered were idle (7 km/h), sub-planing (14 km/h), and planing (40 km/hr). The two animal positions in the water column were 1) at the water surface and 2) at "prop depth" (depth to the center of the propeller hub on the standard outboard motor). Five propulsion options were tested: 1) a standard outboard motor, 2) a standard outboard motor with Hydroshield® propeller guard 3) a standard outboard motor with Prop Buddy® propeller guard, 4) a jet outboard motor and 5) a jet-propelled personal watercraft, often referred to generically as a "jet ski". The experiments typically included five trials per test configuration. Catastrophic (presumably fatal) damage was defined to occur when any damage penetrated the carapace. Small wounds (< 4 cm in length) along the sides or rear of the artificial carapace, where the shell and bone extend beyond the edge of the body cavity, were not classified as catastrophic This definition was used to classify the effectiveness of the various mitigation options. Results indicate that reducing the speed of the vessel reduces the odds of severe damage to the animals. Of all of the tests performed with the standard outboard motor (including tests with propeller guards installed), 25% of those performed at idle speed resulted in catastrophic damage, compared to 100% for planing speed tests. The two tested propeller guards both modified the type of damage to the animal when compared to similar tests with the standard motor configuration, but they only slightly reduced the risk of catastrophic damage. At idle speed, with propeller guard installed, 10% of the tests resulted in catastrophic damage. The corresponding number for the standard motor was 40%. At planing speed, 100% of the tests resulted in catastrophic damage, with or without the propeller guard. No catastrophic injuries were observed during testing of both jet propulsion systems (jet outboard and jet ski) at any speed or depth in the water column. Both feature a much smaller draft than the standard outboard, which results in little chance of striking an animal below the surface. And both the jet outboard and the jet-powered watercraft feature water intakes that are relatively smooth and appeared to slide across the animal with minimal damage to the carapace when the model animal was floating on the surface. The experiments described here involved a limited range of hull configurations; results may be different for hulls or propulsion systems drastically different than those tested here. But the results obtained indicate that equipment, in the form of the boat's propulsion system, and the mode in which it is used both play a role in defining the risk of boats to turtles in the field.

Discourse used in the field of conservation, be it of animals, land masses or marine zones, matters in that discourse and practice are mutually constitutive and discourse will therefore ultimately influence how conservation is practiced. Conservation discourses have shifted over time depending on the broader political economic climate. At present, neoliberal conservation discourse is gaining traction amongst terrestrial conservationists and has both proponents and detractors; however, it is less clear whether marine conservationists have similarly adopted the discourse of property rights, markets and incentives. Marine conservation is a newer pursuit, and has tended to follow in the path of its terrestrial counterpart. It is therefore of consequence whether and how the neoliberal discourse is beginning to impact marine conservation. While some academic literature has focused on neoliberal discourse in marine environments, to date it has been narrow in scope, mostly focusing on the privatization of fisheries and the role of neoliberalism in the privatization of marine protected areas (MPAs). However, the versatility of neoliberal approaches to conservation suggests that the impact may be much more widespread than this. With the potential to align itself with previously dominant discourses such as fortress conservation and community-based conservation, neoliberal conservation stands to gain traction. This thesis addresses the lack of attention given to neoliberal conservation in marine environments by conducting a collaborative event ethnography (CEE) of the Tenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD-COP10). The CBD-COP10 is a forum where a diverse array of actors from the public, private and civil society sectors come together to discuss the future of the field of conservation. It is here that ideas about conservation are both conceptualized and contested, and those that become dominant discourses can ultimately influence how conservation is undertaken in practice. The research finds that as with terrestrial conservation, a wide range of marine actors are indeed invoking neoliberal conservation discourse. At the CBD-COP10, neoliberal discourse and its related practices were rarely challenged and often lauded, from NGO and government partnerships with the private sector, to economic valuation, to the drive towards a ‘green economy’. By revealing this usage, this thesis contributes to scholarship by addressing the lack of attention to the impact of neoliberal conservation discourses in the marine realm. It also shows that the study of discourse can be a useful mode of understanding how marine conservation is conceptualized. It helps to illuminate the power channels through which discourse travels and how a particular discourse can become dominant, which is important to understand because dominant discourses can ultimately impact how conservation is practiced. / SSHRC; Research supported by the US National Science Foundation (award nos. 1027194 and 1027201)

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2008. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the World Wide Web.

Orientador: Antonio Leão Castilho / Banca: Rogério Caetano da Costa / Banca: fernado Luis Medina Mantelatto / Resumo: O aumento da frota de pesca no sul do Brasil tem contribuído para a redução dos desembarques de camarões rentáveis e das espécies que compõe a fauna acompanhante. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a biodiversidade e distribuição espaço-temporal de crustáceos Anomura, capturados como fauna acompanhante na pesca não seletiva de camarão no litoral norte do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Além disso, analisou-se a influência de fatores ambientais sobre os padrões de abundância das espécies estudadas. Arrastos mensais foram realizadas na área adjacente à Baía da Babitonga de julho de 2010 até junho de 2011, utilizando um barco de camarão equipado com redes double-rig, em profundidades de 5 a 17 m. Índices ecológicos (riqueza de espécies, diversidade, dominância e equitabilidade) e a análise de redundância foram usados para analisar a comunidade de ermitões e sua relação com os fatores ambientais. Um total de 647 indivíduos foi coletado, representado por três famílias, seis gêneros e sete espécies. Isocheles sawayai apresentou a maior abundância, seguido por Loxopagurus loxocheles. Ambas as espécies tiveram uma correlação positiva com a temperatura e Phi (granulometria fina). A maior riqueza e os mais altos valores de equitabilidade foram encontrados na profundidade de 17 m. Por outro lado, a profundidade de cinco metros teve o menor valor de equitabilidade, devido à alta dominância de I. sawayai, ocasionando uma baixa diversidade local. No período de menor temperatura e maior salinidade (julho) foram registrados os mais altos índices de diversidade, influenciados pela baixa dominância de espécies tropicais (I. sawayai) e pela presença de espécies que vivem mais afastadas da costa (Petrochirus diogenes, Dardanus insignis, Pagurus exilis). Portanto, o esforço de captura direcionada à pesca camaroneira extraí no litoral sul do Brasil uma diversidade considerável... / Abstract: The increase in the fishing fleet in southern Brazil has contributed to decrease in landings of profitable shrimps and bycatch species. The aim of this study is to investigate the biodiversity and spatial-temporal distribution of anomuran crustaceans captured as bycatch in the non-selective fishery of shrimps on the northern coast of Santa Catarina state, Brazil. In addition, we analyzed the influence of environmental factors on the abundance patterns of studied species. Monthly trawls were conducted in Babitonga Bay from July 2010 through June 2011, using a shrimp boat outfitted with double-rig nets, at depths from 5 to 17 m. Ecological indices (species richness, diversity, dominance and evenness) and redundancy analysis were assessed to analyze the hermit community and their relation with environmental factors. A total of 647 individuals were collected, represented by three families, six genera and seven species. Isocheles sawayai showed the highest abundance, flowed by Loxopagurus loxocheles. Both species demonstrated a positive correlation with temperature and phi (smaller sediment grain size). The highest richness and the evenness value were estimated at the depth 17 m. Otherwise, the five meters deep has the lowest evenness because the high dominance of I. sawayai, resulting in a lower estimated diversity. In a period with lower temperature and higher salinity as July were registered higher levels of diversity, probably because the lower dominance of tropical species (I. sawayai) and the occupation of species distributed in offshore regions (Petrochirus diogenes, Dardanus insignis, Pagurus exilis). Thus, the capture effort designated in the shrimp fishery carried an important diversity of anomuran crustaceans and others animal species, showing a danger to the marine trophic web / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2015-12-10T14:22:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-01-26. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-12-10T14:29:00Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000848956.pdf: 856337 bytes, checksum: 8efe53c3db57337bc1de30519d4d7cb1 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP) / O aumento da frota de pesca no sul do Brasil tem contribuído para a redução dos desembarques de camarões rentáveis e das espécies que compõe a fauna acompanhante. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a biodiversidade e distribuição espaço-temporal de crustáceos Anomura, capturados como fauna acompanhante na pesca não seletiva de camarão no litoral norte do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Além disso, analisou-se a influência de fatores ambientais sobre os padrões de abundância das espécies estudadas. Arrastos mensais foram realizadas na área adjacente à Baía da Babitonga de julho de 2010 até junho de 2011, utilizando um barco de camarão equipado com redes double-rig, em profundidades de 5 a 17 m. Índices ecológicos (riqueza de espécies, diversidade, dominância e equitabilidade) e a análise de redundância foram usados para analisar a comunidade de ermitões e sua relação com os fatores ambientais. Um total de 647 indivíduos foi coletado, representado por três famílias, seis gêneros e sete espécies. Isocheles sawayai apresentou a maior abundância, seguido por Loxopagurus loxocheles. Ambas as espécies tiveram uma correlação positiva com a temperatura e Phi (granulometria fina). A maior riqueza e os mais altos valores de equitabilidade foram encontrados na profundidade de 17 m. Por outro lado, a profundidade de cinco metros teve o menor valor de equitabilidade, devido à alta dominância de I. sawayai, ocasionando uma baixa diversidade local. No período de menor temperatura e maior salinidade (julho) foram registrados os mais altos índices de diversidade, influenciados pela baixa dominância de espécies tropicais (I. sawayai) e pela presença de espécies que vivem mais afastadas da costa (Petrochirus diogenes, Dardanus insignis, Pagurus exilis). Portanto, o esforço de captura direcionada à pesca camaroneira extraí no litoral sul do Brasil uma diversidade considerável... / The increase in the fishing fleet in southern Brazil has contributed to decrease in landings of profitable shrimps and bycatch species. The aim of this study is to investigate the biodiversity and spatial-temporal distribution of anomuran crustaceans captured as bycatch in the non-selective fishery of shrimps on the northern coast of Santa Catarina state, Brazil. In addition, we analyzed the influence of environmental factors on the abundance patterns of studied species. Monthly trawls were conducted in Babitonga Bay from July 2010 through June 2011, using a shrimp boat outfitted with double-rig nets, at depths from 5 to 17 m. Ecological indices (species richness, diversity, dominance and evenness) and redundancy analysis were assessed to analyze the hermit community and their relation with environmental factors. A total of 647 individuals were collected, represented by three families, six genera and seven species. Isocheles sawayai showed the highest abundance, flowed by Loxopagurus loxocheles. Both species demonstrated a positive correlation with temperature and phi (smaller sediment grain size). The highest richness and the evenness value were estimated at the depth 17 m. Otherwise, the five meters deep has the lowest evenness because the high dominance of I. sawayai, resulting in a lower estimated diversity. In a period with lower temperature and higher salinity as July were registered higher levels of diversity, probably because the lower dominance of tropical species (I. sawayai) and the occupation of species distributed in offshore regions (Petrochirus diogenes, Dardanus insignis, Pagurus exilis). Thus, the capture effort designated in the shrimp fishery carried an important diversity of anomuran crustaceans and others animal species, showing a danger to the marine trophic web

O atual modelo de sociedade está assentado em acumulação crescente de capital, através da relação de consumo e mediante a exploração de recursos naturais, com a correspondente produção de externalidades negativas no meio ambiente. Esse processo evidencia a desigualdade social existente, em que alguns têm amplo acesso aos bens de consumo, sendo que as externalidades negativas são compartilhadas entre todos. Assim, existem os que se veem privados de condições mínimas para a subsistência, arcando com as consequências do sistema. Nesse contexto, a exploração marinha apresenta grande relevância no que tange aos enfoques econômico e ambiental. A poluição, decorrente da sociedade de consumo, as atividades exploratórias de risco e a exploração predatória dos recursos marinhos são elementos que atingem a todos, com efeitos transfronteiriços. Essas externalidades recaem, com maior vigor, sobre as populações menos favorecidas, necessitadas dos recursos dos mares para a subsistência. Considerando a lenta biocapacidade regenerativa da biodiversidade marinha, os efeitos da poluição apresentam um caráter transgeracional. Diante disso se estabelece o impasse entre interesses econômicos versus proteção ambiental. Como forma de disciplinar as questões relativas aos mares, foi estabelecida a Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar, em 1982, delimitando as áreas sob a jurisdição estatal, entre outras disposições. Residualmente, foi designada a Área, compreendendo o leito marinho de alto mar, constante na Parte XI da referida Convenção, sendo que a correspondente coluna de água permanece sem disciplina específica. Em 2004, a ONU estabeleceu a criação de um grupo de trabalho, objetivando a elaboração de um instrumento jurídico destinado à conservação e uso sustentável dos recursos marinhos em alto mar, meio comumente designado pela sigla ABNJ, derivada da expressão areas beyond national jurisdiction. A proposta é relativa ao estabelecimento de um instrumento juridicamente vinculante. Com base na análise dos debates, ocorridos nos grupos de pesquisa e de negociação estabelecidos pela ONU, não foi possível vislumbrar a predisposição das principais potências em ceder nos pontos que afetam os interesses econômicos, tais como a restrição quanto à exploração, transferência de tecnologia e compensação pecuniária pela exploração dos recursos. Assim, o problema de pesquisa é o questionamento da efetividade do direito ambiental internacional quanto à proteção da biodiversidade marinha em ABNJ. Para desvelar a questão proposta, foi utilizada a técnica de documentação indireta e como métodos foram empregados à análise do discurso, no que se refere às discussões estabelecidas nos grupos de trabalho criados pela ONU, bem como foi empregado o método hipotético-dedutivo, para análise geral da pesquisa. Como resultado, foi verificado que o estabelecimento de uma soft law teria maiores possibilidades de êxito em atingir o escopo da proteção marinha. Por ser menos restritiva, possibilitaria uma maior atração de Estados-parte e, com isso, vinculando-os, ainda que em normas programáticas. Em essência, a assunção ao tratado é uma forma de reconhecimento do risco. Tendo como base a teoria do discurso e tendo em vista a realidade multicultural, a pressão centrífuga sobre a política de cada Estado torna-se um elemento importante para o cumprimento efetivo dos tratados. / Submitted by Ana Guimarães Pereira (agpereir@ucs.br) on 2017-07-11T14:19:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Wolmer Rogério da Cunha Nunes.pdf: 2166920 bytes, checksum: 8d1a27e9e38ac8e37b5ae06d16cf74c8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-11T14:19:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Wolmer Rogério da Cunha Nunes.pdf: 2166920 bytes, checksum: 8d1a27e9e38ac8e37b5ae06d16cf74c8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-29 / The current model of society is based on increasing accumulation of capital, through the relation of consumption, through the exploitation of natural resources, with the corresponding production of negative externalities in the environment. This process evidences the existing social inequality, in which some people have broad access to consumer goods, and the negative externalities are shared among everyone. Thus, there are those who are deprived of minimum conditions for subsistence, bearing the consequences of the system. In this context, the marine exploration has highly relevance in reference of to economic and environmental focus. Pollution from the consumer society, exploitative risky activities and the predatory exploitation of marine resources are elements that affect everyone, with transboundary effects. These externalities are most heavily reliant on the less favored populations, who need the maritime resources for subsistence. Considering the slow regenerative biocapacity of marine biodiversity, the effects of pollution are transgenerational. Given this, the impasse between economic interests versus environmental protection is established. As a way of disciplining matters relating to the seas, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was established, delimiting areas under state jurisdiction, among other provisions. Residually was designated Area, comprising the seabed offshore, contained in Part XI of the Convention, and the corresponding water column remains without specific rule. In 2004, the UN established the creation of a working group aiming at the elaboration of a legal instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in the high seas, commonly known by the abbreviation ABNJ, derived from the expression areas beyond national jurisdiction. The proposal concerns the establishment of a legally binding instrument. Based on the analysis of the discussions in the research and negotiation groups established by the UN, it was not possible to envisage the predisposition of the main powers to give in to points where they affect economic interests, such as the restriction on exploitation, technology transfer and pecuniary compensation of the exploited resources. Thus, the research problem is the questioning of the effectiveness of international environmental law regarding the protection of marine biodiversity in ABNJ. To unveil the proposed question, the indirect documentation technique was used and as methods the discourse analysis was used in relation to the discussions established in the working groups created by the UN, as well as the hypothetical-deductive method for general analysis of the research. As a result, it was found that the establishment of a soft law would be more likely to succeed in reaching the scope of marine protection. Because it is less restrictive, it would make it possible to attract more States Parties and, therefore, to bind them, even in program norms. In essence, treaty assumption is a form of risk recognition. Based on discourse theory and in view of the multicultural reality, the centrifugal pressure on the politics of each state becomes a crucial element for the effective fulfillment of the treaties.

O atual modelo de sociedade está assentado em acumulação crescente de capital, através da relação de consumo e mediante a exploração de recursos naturais, com a correspondente produção de externalidades negativas no meio ambiente. Esse processo evidencia a desigualdade social existente, em que alguns têm amplo acesso aos bens de consumo, sendo que as externalidades negativas são compartilhadas entre todos. Assim, existem os que se veem privados de condições mínimas para a subsistência, arcando com as consequências do sistema. Nesse contexto, a exploração marinha apresenta grande relevância no que tange aos enfoques econômico e ambiental. A poluição, decorrente da sociedade de consumo, as atividades exploratórias de risco e a exploração predatória dos recursos marinhos são elementos que atingem a todos, com efeitos transfronteiriços. Essas externalidades recaem, com maior vigor, sobre as populações menos favorecidas, necessitadas dos recursos dos mares para a subsistência. Considerando a lenta biocapacidade regenerativa da biodiversidade marinha, os efeitos da poluição apresentam um caráter transgeracional. Diante disso se estabelece o impasse entre interesses econômicos versus proteção ambiental. Como forma de disciplinar as questões relativas aos mares, foi estabelecida a Convenção das Nações Unidas sobre o Direito do Mar, em 1982, delimitando as áreas sob a jurisdição estatal, entre outras disposições. Residualmente, foi designada a Área, compreendendo o leito marinho de alto mar, constante na Parte XI da referida Convenção, sendo que a correspondente coluna de água permanece sem disciplina específica. Em 2004, a ONU estabeleceu a criação de um grupo de trabalho, objetivando a elaboração de um instrumento jurídico destinado à conservação e uso sustentável dos recursos marinhos em alto mar, meio comumente designado pela sigla ABNJ, derivada da expressão areas beyond national jurisdiction. A proposta é relativa ao estabelecimento de um instrumento juridicamente vinculante. Com base na análise dos debates, ocorridos nos grupos de pesquisa e de negociação estabelecidos pela ONU, não foi possível vislumbrar a predisposição das principais potências em ceder nos pontos que afetam os interesses econômicos, tais como a restrição quanto à exploração, transferência de tecnologia e compensação pecuniária pela exploração dos recursos. Assim, o problema de pesquisa é o questionamento da efetividade do direito ambiental internacional quanto à proteção da biodiversidade marinha em ABNJ. Para desvelar a questão proposta, foi utilizada a técnica de documentação indireta e como métodos foram empregados à análise do discurso, no que se refere às discussões estabelecidas nos grupos de trabalho criados pela ONU, bem como foi empregado o método hipotético-dedutivo, para análise geral da pesquisa. Como resultado, foi verificado que o estabelecimento de uma soft law teria maiores possibilidades de êxito em atingir o escopo da proteção marinha. Por ser menos restritiva, possibilitaria uma maior atração de Estados-parte e, com isso, vinculando-os, ainda que em normas programáticas. Em essência, a assunção ao tratado é uma forma de reconhecimento do risco. Tendo como base a teoria do discurso e tendo em vista a realidade multicultural, a pressão centrífuga sobre a política de cada Estado torna-se um elemento importante para o cumprimento efetivo dos tratados. / The current model of society is based on increasing accumulation of capital, through the relation of consumption, through the exploitation of natural resources, with the corresponding production of negative externalities in the environment. This process evidences the existing social inequality, in which some people have broad access to consumer goods, and the negative externalities are shared among everyone. Thus, there are those who are deprived of minimum conditions for subsistence, bearing the consequences of the system. In this context, the marine exploration has highly relevance in reference of to economic and environmental focus. Pollution from the consumer society, exploitative risky activities and the predatory exploitation of marine resources are elements that affect everyone, with transboundary effects. These externalities are most heavily reliant on the less favored populations, who need the maritime resources for subsistence. Considering the slow regenerative biocapacity of marine biodiversity, the effects of pollution are transgenerational. Given this, the impasse between economic interests versus environmental protection is established. As a way of disciplining matters relating to the seas, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea was established, delimiting areas under state jurisdiction, among other provisions. Residually was designated Area, comprising the seabed offshore, contained in Part XI of the Convention, and the corresponding water column remains without specific rule. In 2004, the UN established the creation of a working group aiming at the elaboration of a legal instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources in the high seas, commonly known by the abbreviation ABNJ, derived from the expression areas beyond national jurisdiction. The proposal concerns the establishment of a legally binding instrument. Based on the analysis of the discussions in the research and negotiation groups established by the UN, it was not possible to envisage the predisposition of the main powers to give in to points where they affect economic interests, such as the restriction on exploitation, technology transfer and pecuniary compensation of the exploited resources. Thus, the research problem is the questioning of the effectiveness of international environmental law regarding the protection of marine biodiversity in ABNJ. To unveil the proposed question, the indirect documentation technique was used and as methods the discourse analysis was used in relation to the discussions established in the working groups created by the UN, as well as the hypothetical-deductive method for general analysis of the research. As a result, it was found that the establishment of a soft law would be more likely to succeed in reaching the scope of marine protection. Because it is less restrictive, it would make it possible to attract more States Parties and, therefore, to bind them, even in program norms. In essence, treaty assumption is a form of risk recognition. Based on discourse theory and in view of the multicultural reality, the centrifugal pressure on the politics of each state becomes a crucial element for the effective fulfillment of the treaties.