Baía da Babitonga Wildlife Reserve, wildlife reserve in Brazil
The Baía da Babitonga Wildlife Reserve is a protected area on the northern coast of Santa Catarina comprising water, mangrove forests, and small islands. The bay stretches across a large expanse of calm water with slow-moving channels, bordered by sandy beaches, rocky shores, and dense mangrove stands.
People have inhabited this region for over three thousand years, as shown by archaeological structures called sambaquis built by early hunter-gatherers. European colonizers from the 16th century onward transformed coastal communities, while later a French settlement project called Saí Utopia in the 19th century attempted to establish itself as a social experiment.
The bay takes its name Babitonga from indigenous origins, reflecting the long history of human presence in this region. Today, fishing families work the waters according to tidal rhythms, with traditional practices like oyster and mussel gathering shaping their daily routines.
Access to the bay and its islands is best achieved by small boat, as most areas are only reachable from the water. Visitors should note that water and weather conditions vary by season and tidal currents influence navigation.
The area is home to over 70 percent of fish species used for sport and commercial fishing throughout the region. This makes the bay a critical breeding ground where fish mature before migrating to open ocean.
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