Have you ever heard of the Alcatrazes Archipelago? A place rich in beauty, fauna and flora. Where species like albatrosses heat up on the beach, taking advantage of the sun's heat in the morning. Where whales, dolphins and more than 260 species of fish share the crystal clear water of the region, besides the reefs, considered the most conserved of the Southeastern and Southern region of the country.
In 1980, the Archipelago of the Alcatrazes served to the Brazilian Navy as a place for the practice of shots of the warships. According to a report issued by Estadão, it was in 1989 that environmentalists protested at the attitude, with research and documents proving the ecological importance of the island and the need to preserve the place.
The National Marine Park of Alcatrazes was created, an environmental conservation heritage in the country.
Conflict
Still, the conflict persisted. It was only in the year 2016 that fishing and naval bombings were strictly forbidden. However, it was only this year that the "second largest marine conservation unit in Brazil (behind only Abrolhos) was open to tourists", explains the G1 report.
It is expected that tourists will visit the place from January next year. To do so, it is necessary for a company to register to transport tourists to the archipelago.
The opening will take place as an experiment. The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), recognizing the need of Brazilians to get in touch with the beauty and richness of the place, opened the doors of this paradise for dives and visits on boats.
True haven
Geraldo de França Ottoni Neto, an analyst and oceanographer at the Chico Mendes Institute, tries to size up, in an article in the newspaper A Tribuna, anticipating the surprising diversity that tourists will find there:
"At the peak of bird breeding, the island includes about eight thousand frigates, two thousand atobás and many others. At sea, we have several species, especially stingrays and stallions, which also use the area for breeding"
The reserve that allows the visitation is called "Wildlife Refuge of Alcatrazes". 20 people will be allowed to dive at a time. And 17 boats, where you will be able to observe the famous frigate nests, migratory whales, as well as dolphins and other enchanting species that live or are passing through the archipelago.
At the beginning, no fees will be charged for the visitation of the place.
Litoral Paulista
The archipelago is on the coast of São Sebastião, north coast of São Paulo. The total area is 67 thousand hectares and has 13 islands.
In the future, a study will be held to open the site for tours of private vessels. But everything will depend on the success of the first phase.
Ricardo Soavinski, president of ICMBio, stressed the importance of the contact of the Brazilians with the richest in the nature of our country.
"This strengthens the idea that we have to protect the environment, and it will generate income." When you organize your visit well, biodiversity is valued, "says Soavinski, the report in A Tribuna.
It took 30 years for Brazilians to have the opportunity to see and follow closely one of the most beautiful and preserved places in Brazil. Do you believe that this experiment will work well? Will we know how to value and maintain the biodiversity of this true sanctuary of ecological life?