The Bazaruto Archipelago National Park is the first marine reserve for which African Parks signed a management partnership. In 2017, the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) invited African Parks into a partnership agreement to manage its oldest national marine park ensuring that this valuable resource could be sustainably protected long into the future. Declared a protected area in 1971, Bazaruto is made up of five islands, three of which are inhabited by some 7,000 people. The archipelago boasts iconic megafauna, including whales, sharks, sailfish, manta rays, dolphins, marlin and nesting marine turtles, as well as East Africa’s last viable population of dugong. The sheer beauty of this seascape, along with the diversity of wildlife, has made Bazaruto a globally sought-after tourism destination.
Historically, overuse of natural resources, illegal fishing practices and poorly regulated tourism activities have negatively impacted the area’s biodiversity and the livelihoods of its communities. But over the last five years, the results of effective management have begun to crystallise and positive relationships with local communities, tourism operators and government partners are helping to secure a more sustainable future for people and wildlife. The park’s management team has grown, infrastructure has improved, protection measures have been enhanced and illegal activities curtailed. A conservation-led economy is being bolstered through tourism, creating jobs and skills development.
Bazaruto is an emerging gem of the Indian Ocean and testimony to how an effective co-management agreement has lasting results for both people and the marine ecosystems on which they depend.
Bazaruto Highlights
- Bazaruto Archipelago National Park is home to the last-known viable dugong population on the eastern coast of Africa. Thanks to the work of African Parks researchers and others, the dugong was relisted from ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List to ‘Critically Endangered’ in 2022, giving the species the highest level of global protection.
- With regular patrolling, improved capacity and collaboration with the Maritime Authority and the local police, Bazaruto rangers have helped curb illegal activities in the park. As a result, dugong and turtle deaths caused by fishing nets have greatly diminished.
- Park-related jobs and socio-economic initiatives are improving the livelihoods of thousands of people and nurturing a growing constituency for conservation as communities realise the benefits of being part of biodiversity protection.
- Nearly 1,000 schoolchildren have received scholarships since 2017.
- To limit negative effects on the environment, a detailed code of conduct has been developed for wildlife viewing, snorkelling and scuba-diving with over 100 boat skippers from the tourism sector trained on various aspects of best practices.
