Abrolhos Marine

Abrolhos Marine National Park protects 91,300 hectares of the South Atlantic's most important coral reef ecosystem, located approximately 70 kilometers off the coast of Bahia state in northeastern Brazil. The park encompasses five volcanic islands and extensive coral reef formations that represent the largest and richest coral biodiversity in the South Atlantic Ocean. Established in 1983, Abrolhos is renowned for unique mushroom-shaped coral formations found nowhere else on Earth, and serves as critical breeding and feeding grounds for humpback whales that migrate from Antarctica each year. The protected area supports exceptional marine biodiversity including endemic coral species, reef fish, sea turtles, seabirds, and visiting marine mammals.

The park was established in 1983 as Brazil's first marine national park, recognizing the outstanding biodiversity and unique coral formations of the Abrolhos Bank. The designation followed decades of scientific research documenting the area's exceptional marine life and growing concerns about overfishing, coral harvesting, and anchor damage from boats. Charles Darwin visited the area during the voyage of the Beagle in 1832, noting the unusual coral formations and abundant marine life. Since establishment, management has evolved to address emerging threats including climate change, coral bleaching, invasive species, and the 2019 oil spill that affected Brazil's northeastern coast. The park plays a vital role in humpback whale conservation, with the population recovering from near-extinction to several thousand individuals that breed in Abrolhos waters each winter.

Access to the park is strictly regulated and only permitted through authorized tour operators based in the coastal towns of Caravelas and Alcobaça, requiring boat journeys of several hours to reach the protected area. Visitor activities include snorkeling and diving among the coral reefs, wildlife watching for humpback whales during breeding season (July to November), and guided visits to Siriba Island where limited infrastructure allows day use. The park has no overnight facilities for tourists, with all visits being day trips that must comply with strict regulations to minimize impacts on sensitive marine and island ecosystems. Diving and snorkeling are only permitted in designated zones with guides, and access to some areas is prohibited to protect nesting seabirds and sensitive habitats. The park is accessible year-round though sea conditions are calmest during winter months (June to September) when humpback whale watching is also optimal.

Conservation priorities include coral reef protection, humpback whale breeding habitat conservation, seabird nesting site protection, and sustainable management of tourism and fishing activities. Coral bleaching events linked to warming ocean temperatures threaten reef health, with monitoring programs tracking coral condition and recovery to inform adaptive management. The park enforces strict no-take zones prohibiting fishing to allow fish populations to recover and support reef ecosystem health. Invasive species including rats on some islands and lionfish in reef habitats require ongoing control efforts to protect native species. Research partnerships with universities and conservation organizations support long-term ecological monitoring, whale population studies, coral reef health assessments, and evaluation of climate change impacts. The park collaborates with local fishing communities on sustainable practices and alternative livelihoods including ecotourism that provides economic benefits while supporting marine conservation.