Navegando pelos mares da controvérsia política: a Inspetoria da Pesca e os primeiros estudos sobre o plâncton no Brasil (1913-1915)

This manuscript analyzes the formation, the action and political controversies around the Inspetoria da Pesca (Brazilian Fisheries Agency), that was an accessorial agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce (MAIC) between 1913 to 1915. Considered as an important initiative to encourage the development of the fishing industry in Brazil, the agency was criticized in the National Congress and used by newspapers opposing the Federal Executive to attack the then President Hermes da Fonseca (1910-1914). On the other hand, a phenomenon that caused a great fish mortality in Guanabara Bay attracted strong attention from the agency’s scientists. This circumstance culminated in the first Brazilian investments in plankton research. This analysis was based on data from documental research of MAIC reports, scientific articles and diverse manifestations in the Carioca press of that period. Despite the criticisms suffered at the time and its ephemeral existence, this research suggests that the Fisheries Agency had an important impact in the beginnings of Planktology in Brazil.