Barra do Rio Mamanguape Environmental Protection Area

Barra do Rio Mamanguape Environmental Protection Area (Portuguese: Área de Proteção Ambiental Barra do Rio Mamanguape) is a protected area of 14,640 hectares in the estuary of the Mamanguape River in the state of Paraíba, Brazil.

Barra do Rio Mamanguape Environmental Protection Area
Área de Proteção Ambiental Barra do Rio Mamanguape
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Overview of the protected area
Location in Brazil
Location	State of Paraíba, Northeastern Brazil
Nearest city	Mamanguape
Coordinates	6.77°S 34.930°W / -6.77; -34.930
Area	14,640 hectares (36,200 acres)
Designation	Environmental Protection Area
Established	10 September 1993

Foundation

There was a drive to develop sugar cane plantations in the region in the 1970s. The resulting massive loss of Atlantic Forest created pressure to use the mangroves in the Mamanguape River estuary as wood for construction, despite the poor quality of the wood and the value of the mangroves as shelter for crabs, clams, oysters and fish.^[1] The coastal marine protected area, which has an area of 14,640 hectares (36,200 acres), was finally established on 10 September 1993. It is administered by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation.^[2]

The area includes parts of the Baía da Traição, Lucena, Marcação and Rio Tinto municipalities of Paraíba. It is IUCN protected area category V (protected landscape/seascape).^[3] The overall purpose is to control land use, protect biodiversity and ensure sustainable use of natural resources. Specific objectives include conserving the habitat of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), conserving the remaining mangrove and rainforest, and promoting eco-tourism.^[3]

Environment

The Barra do Rio Mamanguape is a relatively secluded area on the north coast of Paraiba with sandy beaches, dunes, reefs and well-preserved mangroves. It is the main area where the manatee is found, and the main breeding area.^[4] The area contains remnants of the Atlantic Forest biome.^[3] Its importance is linked to its estuary ecosystem, which includes the manatee, species highly threatened in the area.