Conservation International expedition to Abrolhos region, Bahia, Brazil

Grant Recipient 2009:  Conservation International

The Waitt Foundation is teaming up with Conservation International to strengthen and expand the Brazilian Abrolhos Marine Protected Area (MPA) to include a recently discovered system of mid-depth coral reefs that will literally double the size of the current protected region.

New Reef Structures

Underwater Wonders: Abrolhos is home to some of the world's most unique and threatened corals. Since the species have long since vanished from other parts of the region, these corals are on the front line of extinction.

Researchers discovered the new reef structures using aerial surveys, satellite imagery and side scan sonar from remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to create a three-dimensional map of the marine seabed. Intermingled with a calcareous red algae bottom (Rhodolith beds), the reefs are mesophotic (light-dependent) habitats that harbor both shallow and deep-water species, crucial to understanding how to sustain reef fisheries.

Importantly, the reefs also represent huge continental shelf carbon sinks—areas that can absorb greenhouse gas emissions to offset global warming.

Unique Ecosystem

The Abrolhos region currently encompasses the richest and largest coral reefs in the Southern Atlantic and provides the breeding ground for several endemic and red-listed marine species, including southern humpback whales. Its unique ecosystem, combined with the growing threats of global climate change and overfishing, makes Abrolhos a global priority for marine conservation. Working closely with local communities, Conservation International has played a leading role in protecting and expanding the MPA network.

Masked Booby: The Abrolhos archipelago is an important nesting ground for a number of seabirds.

Marine Conservation Model

The Abrolhos MPA network is becoming a model in Brazil, fostering the development of national guidelines and providing successful case studies for promoting marine conservation. Abrolhos not only harbors unique biodiversity, including all commercially valuable species of reef fish in the southern Atlantic, but also sustains 20,000 families that make a living from fisheries. Long-term protection of the Abrolhos region—from illegal and over-fishing, shrimp farming, exploitation of oil and natural gas, and sedimentation from coastal deforestation—is critical to maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

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About Conservation International

Conservation International (CI) builds upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration to empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature and the well-being of humanity. Founded in 1987, CI works at every level—from remote villages to the offices of presidents and premiers—to help move whole societies toward a smarter development path. Through science, policy and field work, they assist communities, countries and societies to protect tropical forests, lush grasslands, rivers, wetlands, abundant lakes and the sea.

Resources/Media

Conservation International Web site
Project: Abrolhos MPA Network in Brazil
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An Eye on Abrolhos (Conservation International Web site Photos)