Spanning 1,430 km2 of productive seascape and five islands off the coastline of Mozambique, Bazaruto Archipelago encompasses terrestrial and marine habitats of unique ecological value
In December 2017 we embarked on our first partnership with the Mozambique Government. This was a true milestone for our portfolio, which absorbed one of the great jewels along Africa’s coastline on the Indian Ocean – Bazaruto Archipelago – the first marine reserve to come under our management. Our shared vision is to see this exquisite coastal ecosystem revitalised as one of Africa’s leading and most productive marine protected areas and a thriving tourism destination.
Bazaruto is a remarkably productive 1,430 km2 seascape that is connected by a chain of five picturesque islands. These extremely fertile terrestrial and marine ecosystems harbour many rare and endemic bird, reptile and marine species, including over 2,000 fish species and iconic marine megafaunas such as whales, sharks, rays, dolphins and turtles. The flagship species, however, is the dugong as the park is a stronghold for the last viable population within the Western Indian Ocean.
Unfortunately, unregulated tourism activities and overuse of natural resources over the years not only impacted this incredible biodiversity but also threatened the livelihoods of local human populations, including the 5,000 people who live within the park on three of the islands. Over the last two years, however, the value of our management has begun to crystallise, and relationships that are forming with communities, tourism operators and government partners are helping to secure a more sustainable future for people and wildlife.
African Parks’ immediate core focus is to strengthen law enforcement to mitigate immediate conservation threats and build support for the park through community engagement and development. Conservation monitoring, infrastructural development, and skills-based training to provide local employment are also on the agenda, with the goal to enhance this exquisite park’s overall environmentally sustainable tourism product.
In December 2017, African Parks signed a 25-year management agreement with Mozambique’s National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) to restore, develop and manage Bazaruto Archipelago National Park, and revitalize it to become one of the leading and most productive marine protected areas in eastern Africa.
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