Maré Island, the Blackest Neighborhood in Salvador, Is Surrounded by Industry and the Climate Crisis

The Port of Aratu, designed to meet the needs of the increasingly industrialized Reconcavo Baiano, handles 13 million tons of cargo a yearproducts like fertilizers, naphtha, copper, petrochemicals, and gases that, according to research, have polluted the Bay of All Saints. The same concerns are raised about an older project: the Mataripe refinery. Founded in 1951, it is located north of Mare Island, facing the community of Porto dos Cavalos. Despite being surrounded by Bahias largest industrial complex, Mare Islands population of around 10,000 people is still considered a rural Black community. The neighborhood with the highest percentage of Black and mixed-race residents in Salvador (97%, according to the 2022 Census), it is mostly made up of descendants of quilombolas who make their living from artisanal fishing, shellfish gathering, and tourism. According to community leaders, fishing and shellfish gatheringthe main sources of incomehave been affected by chemical leaks. On top of that, ocean warming, worsened by the climate crisis, is reducing the amount of shellfish. Acelen, the refinerys operator, says it conducted a study with the community upon taking over and maintains dialogue with local leaders. The company also says it has implemented initiatives such as Acelera Pesca, to strengthen the local economy and improve living conditions. A more recent study, conducted by professor Monica Ramos at UFRB (Federal University of Reconcavo Baiano), found high concentrations of heavy metalssuch as copper, chromium, zinc, and nickelin crabs and mangrove soil, beyond what is allowed by environmental and health regulations. According to Monica, the research suggests island residents are being contaminated through their traditional and frequent consumption of shellfish. "The Mare Island community has received only the burdens of major development projects," she says.