Introduction
The West African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe has taken a significant step towards marine conservation by formally designating its first two marine protected areas. This comes less than a year after the country presented plans to establish a national network of eight marine protected areas (MPAs) covering 93 square kilometers in the Gulf of Guinea.
Marine Protected Areas
The two MPAs include Ilhéu das Rolas–Malanza–Jalé, located on the southern coast of São Tomé Island, and Santana, on the island’s eastern coast. The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Rural Development, Nilton de Sousa Pontes, announced the official designation during the Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenya.
According to João Pessoa, the country’s Director of Fisheries, “These areas include critical coastal and marine habitats, such as mangroves, nesting beaches, rocky reefs, and important fishing grounds, and support emblematic and threatened species including marine turtles, seabirds, and other marine biodiversity”.
Details of the Protected Areas
The Santana area covers 7.4 km² of coastal waters, of which 1 km² is a fully protected no-take zone where industrial fishing and the collection of other marine resources are prohibited. The rest is reserved for authorized use by artisanal fishers using legal gear, scientific research, and other low-impact activities.
Ilhéu das Rolas-Malanza-Jalé covers 55.8 km², with 8 km² under full protection from any extractive or destructive activities. The remaining six MPAs will be located around Príncipe Island, have been approved by the Council of Ministers, and are awaiting promulgation by the president before publication in the Official Gazette.
Conclusion
This initiative by São Tomé and Príncipe is an important step in conserving marine ecosystems and protecting biodiversity. The creation of marine protected areas not only helps preserve the country’s rich marine biodiversity but also contributes to the sustainable development of coastal communities.
Source / Reference: Mongabay