Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (BANP) is a spectacular marine reserve which is home to several protected species including sharks, dolphins, turtles, and corals. Recognised as ecologically important, the idyllic Bazaruto Archipelago was declared a protected area in 1971 and comprises five islands: Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Santa Carolina and Bangue. BANP is also home to around 7,000 local people who live on three of the five islands. 80% of the population relies on marine resource harvesting as their primary livelihood.
But the park is facing severe threats, both on its islands and in its marine habitats. Exponential population growth in the region, climate change, uncontrolled tourism and waste have negatively impacted the area’s biodiversity and the livelihoods of the local people. The overuse of natural resources, illegal fishing practices and poorly regulated tourism activities have inflicted damage on the park’s coral reefs, seagrass meadows, fish stocks and threatened species populations, also resulting in the loss of tourist revenue.
TUI Sea the Change Mozambique focuses on the ongoing, sustainable management of the park and builds on the extensive work already being undertaken to safeguard the future of this unique reserve.
