⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTICE: Drone Operations Prohibited in Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park

Drone flights are strictly prohibited within the boundaries of the Fernando de Noronha National Marine Park and Environmental Protection Area. Operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) in this archipelago is illegal due to strict federal environmental laws, territorial defense, and airspace safety regulations.

📜 Key Regulations and Authorities

• ICMBio Ordinance No. 61/2020: The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) enforces a strict ban on amateur and commercial drones without prior environmental licensing. The noise from the rotors causes severe stress to protected marine fauna, leading to the abandonment of nests by endemic seabirds and disrupting marine mammals like spinner dolphins and sea turtles.
• DECEA Airspace Restrictions: The Department of Airspace Control (DECEA) classifies the archipelago's airspace as restricted. Due to the operation of the Fernando de Noronha Airport (SBFN) and the constant movement of commercial and emergency flights, unauthorized drone use poses a catastrophic risk to low-flying aircraft.
• ANAC RBAC-94: The National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC) explicitly forbids drone operations over people and sensitive environmental conservation units without explicit, specialized certification and remote pilot licenses.

⚖️ Penalties for Violations

Failure to comply with these federal regulations will result in immediate legal actions:

1. Immediate seizure and confiscation of the drone, memory cards, and auxiliary equipment by federal rangers or military police.
2. Heavy environmental fines applied by ICMBio, starting at R$ 5,000.00, which can increase depending on the damage caused to the ecosystem.
3. Criminal prosecution by the Federal Police under Article 261 of the Brazilian Penal Code (endangering the safety of air transport) and Article 29 of the Environmental Crimes Law (Law 9.605/98).

🎥 Professional Media Permits

If you require authorization for professional filming, scientific research, or institutional journalism, you must:

• Submit a formal project proposal at least 45 days in advance through the ICMBio SISBIO system.
• Pay the official environmental assessment fees and sign a commitment term.
• Obtain a specific flight authorization via the DECEA SARPAS portal synchronized with the airport's air traffic control.

Thank you for your cooperation in preserving Brazil's most fragile marine sanctuary and keeping Fernando de Noronha safe for everyone.