WHC Nomination Documentation File Name: 1000rev.pdf UNESCO Region: LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEANS __________________________________________________________________________________________________ SITE NAME: Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves DATE OF INSCRIPTION: 16th December 2001 STATE PARTY: BRAZIL CRITERIA: N (ii)(iii)(iv) DECISION OF THE WORLD HERITAGE COMMITTEE: Excerpt from the Report of the 25th Session of the World Heritage Committee The Committee inscribed the Brazilian Atlantic Islands: Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves on the World Heritage List on the basis of criterion (ii), (iii) and (iv): Criterion (ii): Fernando de Noronha / Rocas Atoll represents over half the insular coastal waters of the Southern Atlantic Ocean. These highly productive waters provide feeding ground for species such as tuna, billfish, cetaceans, sharks, and marine turtles as they migrate to the Eastern Atlantic coast of Africa. An oasis of marine life in relatively barren, open ocean, the islands play a key role in the process of reproduction, dispersal and colonisation by marine organisms in the entire Tropical South Atlantic. Criterion (iii): Baía dos Golfinhos is the only known place in the world with such a high population of resident dolphins and Rocas Atoll demonstrates a spectacular seascape at low tide when the exposed reef surrounding shallow lagoons and tidal pools forms a natural aquarium. Both sites have also exceptional submarine landscapes that have been recognised worldwide by a number of specialised diving literatures. Criterion (iv): Fernando de Noronha / Rocas Atoll is a key site for the protection of biodiversity and endangered species in the Southern Atlantic. Providing a large proportion of the insular habitat of the South Atlantic, the site is a repository for the maintenance of marine biodiversity at the ocean basin level. It is important for the conservation of endangered and threatened species of marine turtles, particularly the hawksbill turtle. The site accommodates the largest concentration of tropical seabirds to be found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, and is a Global Centre of Bird Endemism. The site also contains the only remaining sample of the Insular Atlantic Forest and the only oceanic mangrove in the South Atlantic region. The site consists of the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas, a reef approximately 150 km to the west of the Archipelago. AREA LOCATION SIZE National Marine Park of Fernando de Noronha State of Pernambuco 11,270 ha Biological Marine Reserve of Rocas Atoll State of Rio Grande do Norte 32, 000ha BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS Peaks of the Southern Atlantic submarine ridge form the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago and Rocas Atoll off the coast of Brazil. They represent a large proportion of the island surface of the South Atlantic and their rich waters are extremely important for the breeding and feeding of tuna, shark, turtle and marine mammals. The islands are home to the largest concentration of tropical seabirds in the Western Atlantic. Baia de Golfinhos has an exceptional population of resident dolphin and at low tide the Rocas Atoll provides a spectacular seascape of lagoons and tidal pools teeming with fish. 1.b State, Province or Region: Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Norte States 1.d Exact location: Park Location Size Coordinates National Marine Park of Fernando de Noronha State of Pernambuco 11,270 ha 32°20'W - 32°30'W and 03°45'S - 03°56'S Biological Marine Reserve of Rocas Atoll State of Rio Grande do Norte 32,000 ha 32°00'W - 34°00'W and 03°30'S - 04°30'S FERNANDO DE NORONHA ARCHIPELAGO/ ROCAS ATOLL TROPICAL INSULAR COMPLEX Nomination for Inclusion as an UNESCO World Heritage Natural Site MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT José Sarney Filho, Minister Secretariat for Biodiversity and Forests José Pedro de Oliveira Costa, Secretary National Aquatic Mammals Research and Conservation Center - CMA/IBAMA Coordination of the Consultant Staff Régis Pinto de Lima Consultants: MRS Environmental Studies Ltd. Fernando Scardua José Martins da Silva, Jr. José Truda Palazzo, Jr. Régis Rodrigues Müller February 2001 1 CONTENTS 1. Identification of the Property ............................................................................................4 1a. Country ........................................................................................................................................ 4 1b. State, Province or Region ........................................................................................................... 4 1c. Name of Property ........................................................................................................................ 4 1d. Exact location on map and indication of geographical coordinates to the nearest second... 4 1f. Localization Map ......................................................................................................................... 7 1i. Area of site proposed for inscription (ha) and proposed buffer zone if any......................... 10 2. Justification for Inscription.............................................................................................10 2a. Statement of Significance.......................................................................................................... 10 2b. Possible comparative analysis (including state of conservation of similar sites)................. 13 2c. Authenticity / Integrity.............................................................................................................. 15 2d. Criteria under which inscription is proposed (and justification for inscription under these criteria)............................................................................................................................................. 16 3. Description .......................................................................................................................26 3a. Description of Property ............................................................................................................ 26 3b. History and Development......................................................................................................... 31 3c. Form and date of most recent records of site.......................................................................... 33 3d. Present state of conservation.................................................................................................... 34 3e. Policies and programmes related to the presentation and promotion of the property....... 34 4. Management.....................................................................................................................35 4a. Ownership.................................................................................................................................. 35 4b. Legal status................................................................................................................................ 35 4c. Protective measures and means of implementing them......................................................... 36 4d. Agencies with management authority ..................................................................................... 36 4e. Level at which management is exercised and name and address of responsible person for contact purposes.............................................................................................................................. 37 4f. Agreed plans related to property.............................................................................................. 37 4g. Sources and levels of finance.................................................................................................... 38 4h. Sources of expertise and training in conservation and management techniques................ 38 4i. Visitor facilities and statistics.................................................................................................... 38 4j. Site management plan and statement of objectives ................................................................ 38 4k. Staffing levels............................................................................................................................. 39 5. Factors Affecting the Site ................................................................................................39 2 5a. Development pressures ............................................................................................................. 39 5b. Environmental pressures.......................................................................................................... 40 5c. Natural disasters and preparedness......................................................................................... 40 5d. Visitor/Tourism pressures........................................................................................................ 40 5e. Number of inhabitants within site, buffer zone ...................................................................... 42 6. Monitoring........................................................................................................................43 6a. Key indicators for measuring state of conservation............................................................... 43 6b. Administrative arrangements for monitoring property........................................................ 43 6c. Results of previous reporting exercises ..................................................................................