RESERVA EXTRATIVISTA BAÍA DO TUBARÃO

Humberto de Campos, Maranhão

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Description

The Extractive Reserve of Baía do Tubarão is a Federal Conservation Unit for Sustainable Use located on the coast of Maranhão, covering areas of the municipalities of Icatu and Humberto de Campos. Created by Decree No. 9,340, on April 5, 2018, the unit has approximately 223,900 hectares and is officially classified by ICMBio in the Coastal Marine Biome. The reserve protects an extensive coastal landscape formed by mangroves, estuaries, rivers, tidal channels, islands, beaches, sandy banks, and marine environments. These ecosystems exhibit high biological productivity and are essential for the reproduction, feeding, and shelter of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, birds, and aquatic mammals. The decree itself establishes as one of its main objectives the conservation of the environmental services provided by the mangroves and associated water resources. Baía do Tubarão is also notable for the occurrence of the manatee (Trichechus manatus), an endangered species that finds an important occurrence area in the region of Ilha do Gato, in Humberto de Campos. The local community participates in conservation and monitoring actions for the species, integrating traditional knowledge of fishermen with research activities developed by ICMBio. The traditional communities of the reserve have a strong relationship with the coastal environment, with artisanal fishing and small-scale extractivism being among the main activities associated with the territory. The creation of the RESEX aims to ensure the natural resources necessary for the subsistence of these populations, valuing their knowledge, culture, and traditional ways of life. The unit also has great potential for community-based tourism, nature observation, boat tours, environmental education, appreciation of fishing culture, and wildlife observation, provided that activities are developed responsibly and in accordance with ICMBio regulations and the interests of traditional communities. The encouragement of community-based ecotourism is expressly included among the objectives of the reserve's creation.