João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park, Marine national park in Bolama region, Guinea-Bissau.
João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park is a protected area in Bolama region encompassing six islands with extensive marine waters covering 49,500 hectares. The waters feature shallow zones, seagrass beds, mudflats, and dense mangrove forests.
The park received official designation in August 2000 following negotiations with local populations during the 1990s. Turtle tagging initiatives had begun in 1994, providing early research foundations for this protection effort.
Poilão island holds sacred meaning for local communities, who have long respected the nesting turtles by avoiding egg collection. This tradition reflects deep ties between people and the marine life around them.
Visiting the park requires prior arrangement with tour operators due to its remote location and limited infrastructure. Accommodation and supplies should be planned well in advance.
The park hosts Africa's largest turtle breeding grounds, with over 40,000 green sea turtle nests recorded on Poilão island in 2014 alone. This concentration makes it a critical spot for turtle conservation worldwide.
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