Integration of Environmental Policies for Biodiversity Conservation: A Comparative Study between Brazil and New Zealand

• Grant number: 25/11237-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Leandra Regina Gonçalves Torres
• Grantee: Jessica Estevam Silva
• Supervisor: William Jacob Rayment
• Host Institution: Instituto do Mar (IMar). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Otago, New Zealand
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/09681-5 - Integration of Environmental Policies for Biodiversity Conservation in the Blue Amazon, BP.IC

Abstract

The conservation of marine biodiversity stands as one of the main challenges for global environmental policy. Institutional fragmentation and the lack of coordination across governance levels and sectors undermine the effectiveness of conservation efforts. This project proposes a comparative analysis of institutional arrangements for marine biodiversity conservation in Brazil and New Zealand, with a particular focus on their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). The research is grounded in the theoretical framework of institutional interplay, examining both vertical interactions (across levels of government) and horizontal interactions (across sectors). The methodology-currently being applied to the Brazilian context through an undergraduate research project-will be extended to the New Zealand case. It includes document analysis, the mapping and categorization of public policies, and the use of content analysis software to identify institutional networks. The research stay will be conducted at the University of Otago, under the supervision of Dr. William J. Rayment, enabling the replication of the study in a distinct institutional, social, and cultural setting. The comparison between these two national contexts is expected to provide valuable insights for improving marine governance in both countries, fostering the exchange of experiences, strengthening international research networks, and deepening the critical perspective of the ongoing research in Brazil. The parallels between Brazilian and New Zealand institutional frameworks will help identify best practices, adapt innovative solutions, and develop concrete recommendations for enhancing ocean governance and marine biodiversity conservation.