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Abstract

The extensive Brazilian maritime area is of unquestionable importance. Nevertheless, our sea agenda, when compared to the international level, need to be enlarged, and will require all actors to exchange of knowledge to improve the Sustainable Development Goals, and the emerging arena of marine spatial planning. In this sense, the main motivation for the SeabedMap Project is to join forces for a better understanding of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, through the shared use of laboratories and integration of results, having the shelf and slope on the northeast “corner” of Brazil (RN State) as a pilot area: One of the least unexplored regions, but under strong pressure to economic development and use, due to e.g. the greatest wind potential in Brazil, largest production of sea salt and shrimp, and demand for fishing, oil and gas, tourism, sea mining, and renewable energies. The multidisciplinary group involves professionals from Geosciences, Biosciences, Law, Computer Science and Engineering and Automation and is a joint effort between universities and research institutes, Brazilian Navy and Geological survey, thus exerting a strong impact on the formation of competent human resources for the diversified performance in Science and Technology and Innovation, in a way transversal and integrated. In 2022, more than 5,500 km² were mapped, revealing the Brazilian equatorial margin slope and associated geohazards. Articulation with other national and international groups will be important for the local and regional strengthening of marine sciences and competitiveness in the search for resources for the maintenance and expansion of the goals involved.