Fragilização do licenciamento ambiental: impactos da carcinicultura no município de Jaguaruana/CE

Abstract

Shrimp farming plays a significant role in the economy of northeastern Brazil; however, its rapid expansion has raised concerns regarding land use and environmental protection. In this context, State Law No. 18.436/2023 introduced in Ceará an automatic Environmental License by Adhesion and Commitment (LAC) for shrimp farms up to five hectares, waiving prior technical evaluation and significantly increasing the number of issued licenses. This study aimed to assess the impacts resulting from the implementation of the automatic LAC in shrimp farming in the municipality of Jaguaruana/CE, taking into account both territorial dynamics and environmental monitoring mechanisms. The methodology combined documentary analysis of licensing processes issued by Semace between August 2023 and August 2024, spatial evaluation of the evolution of farming ponds in 2012, 2022, and 2024, and verification of mandatory environmental authorizations and post-license control actions. The results revealed that 91.9% of the 135 analyzed enterprises are operational, predominantly composed of beneficiaries classified as family farmers; however, although 97% use groundwater, only 13.3% had a water use permit, revealing weaknesses in water resource control. The area occupied by shrimp farming increased from 610 ha in 2012 to 1,196 ha in 2024, with 407 ha licensed under the LAC in the analyzed period, showing trends of productive densification, project fragmentation, and occupation of environmentally sensitive areas without assessment of cumulative impacts. Furthermore, a generalized absence of post-licensing environmental monitoring was identified, with failure to submit mandatory reports and relevant documental deficiencies. It is concluded that although the automatic LAC enhances formal regularization and administrative efficiency, its implementation without preliminary technical screening and effective inspection undermines environmental protection. Regulatory and operational adjustments are therefore necessary to ensure greater environmental security, reconciling productive expansion with the sustainability of shrimp farming in Jaguaruana.