Brazil's Federal Prosecutor Calls for Action on Coastal Sewage and Amazon Dredge Pollution

The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) in Paraíba has asked the state prosecutor's office to adopt measures that stop the irregular discharge of domestic sewage and solid waste into rivers that flow into the state's coastline. The request calls for a diagnostic study of riverside communities in the eight basins draining João Pessoa, an assessment of sewage loads, and a feasibility study by the water‑sewage company (Cagepa) on expanding the collection network. Interim nature‑based solutions such as constructed wetlands, green pits, biodigesters, rain gardens and vegetated barriers are also proposed until permanent infrastructure is in place.

Separately, the MPF has urged the Brazilian Navy to launch actions within 60 days to curb illegal dredge and barge operations used for unlawful gold mining in the Amazon basin. The recommendations include adopting satellite tracking, requiring vessels to present both environmental licences and mining permits before registration, and improving coordination among registration, environmental, and mining authorities across the nine Amazon states. Photographs, satellite imagery and other indirect evidence may be used to impose fines, aiming to close a regulatory gap that allows unlicensed vessels to operate.