Though the area is attractive to amateur and professional divers, tourism is limited, and because of difficult local currents and distance from the coast, only experienced divers are encouraged. Threats include coral bleaching associated with climate change, the possibility of environmentally harmful shipwrecks where navigation is still hazardous, and pollution from hull washing by ships near S o Marcos Bay. Owned by the federal government under the administration of Maranh o. Ramsar site no. 1021. A complex estuarine system of extensive islands, bays, coves, and rugged coastline covered mainly by mangrove forest. The site is of great importance for numerous species of fish, shellfish and migratory birds.
Local communities practice subsistence fishing.
Posted 10 January 2000, updated 21 March 2000, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.