Este artigo apresenta a gestão de praias existente no Brasil e seus instrumentos, propondo a discussão do tema e a superação de alguns desafios. O Brasil conta com uma grande linha de costa e muitas praias. As praias são Bens de Uso Comum do Povo, sendo espaços públicos onde o direito de ir e vir deve estar sempre garantido, áreas que podem ser utilizadas por todos em igualdade de condições. No entanto, percebe-se que no Brasil existe uma sobreposição de competências na gestão das praias, levando a possíveis conflitos e uma gestão ineficiente. Mesmo instrumentos desenhados para a gestão de praias no Brasil, como é o caso do Projeto Orla - instrumento governamental, e do Programa Bandeira Azul - instrumento de iniciativa não-governamental, se demonstram de difícil aplicação devido a falta de base institucional/administrativa no Brasil, além da falta de apoio financeiro. Apresenta-se o caso da Espanha e sua Lei de Costas, como diretrizes que podem levar a uma melhor reflexão das mudanças necessárias no Brasil para que se alcance uma gestão de praias eficiente e democrática. A aceitação da necessidade de organização dos usos e atividades nas praias brasileiras é urgente. Também é urgente a aceitação de que existe sobreposição de competências, que podem gerar conflitos e que a gestão de praias deve ser compartilhada entre os múltiplos órgãos e, inclusive, usuários, aplicando-se um processo de governança.

This article presents beach management in Brazil and its tools. It intends to discuss the issue and possible guidelines to a better management. Brazil has a long coastline and many beaches, of many kinds too. All Brazilian beaches are public places and everyone has the right to come and go. This right should always be guaranteed, letting theses areas available for everyone on equal terms. However, it is noticed that in Brazil there is an overlap of administrations in the management of beaches, leading to possible conflicts and inefficient management, as well as private use of the public space. Many challenges are presented to beach management in Brazil such as: land ownership, tourism and urban projects control, beach bars and restaurants regulation, accessibility, biodiversity conservation, cultural aspects maintenance, erosion process control, among others. A part of that Brazilian legislation do not take in account sand dunes as part of the beaches, leading to a fragmented management of beach ecosystems. Even tools designed for beach and shoreline management in Brazil, such as Projeto Orla - a governmental project, and Blue Flag Programme - an instrument of non-governmental initiative, demonstrate to be of difficult implementation due to the lack of a solid institutional and administrative basis and lack of financial support as well. As an example it is presented the case of Spain and its Coast Act dated of 1988. As the Spanish Coast Act define beach as a public space as well, it could provide some guidelines for Brazil. It is discussed some aspects of the Spanish Coast Act and their parallel with the Brazilian norms. It is exposed the need of legislation improvement in order to achieve efficient and democratic management of beaches. In general terms Brazil should guarantee free access to all beaches and introduce more efficient beach rules. It could also be good to initiate a beach classification and certification scheme, including water and sand quality. The acceptance of the need of controlling uses and activities on the Brazilian coastline is urgent and the acknowledgment that there is an overlapping of responsibilities also represents a priority, which can lead to conflicts. The management of the beaches should be shared among multiple structures and users, applying a governance process.