Camamu Bay Environmental Protection Area (APA)

The Camamu Bay Environmental Protection Area (APA da Baía de Camamu) is a protected area of the state of Bahia, managed by INEMA, the state environment and water resources agency. It was created by State Decree 8,175 of February 27, 2002.

In numbers

• 118,000 hectares of land, water, islands and reefs, according to INEMA.
• It covers the municipalities of Camamu, Maraú and Itacaré (the English Wikipedia also includes a small part of Igrapiúna). Maraú accounts for 49.32% of the APA.
• The bay is about 24 km wide and 43 km deep.

What it protects

According to INEMA: mangroves, the diversity of wildlife and plants (especially migratory birds), fresh, brackish and salt water, and the remnants of forest. The highlights mentioned include Cassange Lagoon, 8 km long, waterfalls and beaches with coves and natural pools.

Threats mentioned

The destruction of mangroves, the filling-in of wetlands for construction, the illegal occupation of conservation areas and the replacement of native vegetation by coconut monoculture.

How visitors can help

• Do not step on or remove corals; do not take shells or animals.
• Do not feed the fish.
• Take your rubbish back with you.
• Choose tours that follow local rules.