Petrobras is a partner in the exploration licence BM-CAL-10 located off the coast of Salvador in the Camamu-Almada Basin.

The project, run by the local NGO Instituto Terraguá, provides training in oyster and fish farming as well as business management in local communities in the indirect area of influence of the future exploration project, which is currently in its licensing phase.

The communities targeted by the School of Waters project are some of the poorest in the state of Bahia. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the majority of the population of this region live in rural areas, and approximately 50% of families have more than five household members. Moreover, approximately 40% live directly or indirectly off fishing and/or oyster-gathering activities - activities that may be adversely affected by future exploration and production in the surrounding area. Supporting the livelihoods and capacity of these communities is therefore vital to the success and sustainability of the potential operation.

The project provides a public arena for constructive dialogue with these communities, as well as skills training in business management, fish and oyster farming and horticulture. The school became fully operational in 2008, although some activities had already begun in 2007.

The highlight this year was the capacity building programme targeting oyster-gathering groups of women. A series of workshops was organised aimed at improving the technical skills and abilities of the women in order to enhance their income generation. The 74 women who benefited from the training have in turn formed three oyster farmer associations that will continue to receive skills training and other support from the project in 2009.

Fish farming activities aimed at youth in Acaraí were another key achievement for the project. The first batch of fish had already been harvested in July 2007, but the project really got off the ground in 2008. Twenty-two fish tanks were installed and run throughout the year by a group of 20 teenagers in the community. By year end, the young people had generated a total income of about USD 13,000.

While still a relatively new initiative, the School of Waters project has already been recognised for its achievements. In 2007, in competition with more than 270 projects from the whole country, the project was awarded a prize as one of the 20 Best Social Practices in Brazil by Caixa Econômica Federal, a leading Brazilian financial institution.