Island Conservation at Ilha do Fogo

Island Conservation on Ilha Do Fogo in Mozambique

Ilha do Fogo

ISLAND CONSERVATION

Ilha do Fogo, or Fire Island, is a remote, 3.5km circumference island off northern Mozambique. It forms part of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, within Africa’s largest coastal marine protected area. The island and coast lie in the rainshadow of Madagascar, protected from tropical storms and occasional seasonal cyclones.

Our 42-hectare island is run on 100% renewable energy, through our 120KW solar plant. Our ensuite tented accommodation was built in a way that ensured the existing flora and fauna were not impacted, and ground vegetation was protected through the use of ‘floating’ foundations. We have also created an environmentally-friendly decentralised wastewater treatment system, which uses very little energy, while protecting the land and ocean.

We are offering a unique opportunity to discover unknown reefs, and help conserve this remote island. Learn more about exclusive tours to Ilha do Fogo.

Island Conservation on Ilha Do Fogo in Mozambique

Fire Island

ILHA DO FOGO

Ilha do Fogo, or Fire Island, is a remote, 3.5km circumference island off northern Mozambique. It forms part of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, within Africa’s largest coastal marine protected area. The island and coast lie in the rainshadow of Madagascar, protected from tropical storms and occasional seasonal cyclones.

Our 42-hectare island is run on 100% renewable energy, through our 120KW solar plant. Our ensuite tented accommodation was built in a way that ensured the existing flora and fauna were not impacted, and ground vegetation was protected through the use of ‘floating’ foundations. We have also created an environmentally-friendly decentralised wastewater treatment system, which uses very little energy, while protecting the land and ocean.

We are offering a unique opportunity to discover unknown reefs, and help conserve this remote island. Learn more about exclusive tours to Ilha do Fogo.

Our History

Archaeologists believe that Ilha do Fogo and the islands of the Mozambique channel hold great importance in maritime history. The remains of European wrecks have been discovered at a number of sites along the coast, between Ilha do Fogo and Ilha de Moçambique, dating between the sixteenth and the nineteenth centuries. Europeans discovered the Primeiras e Segundas archipelago in 1498, during Vasco da Gama’s first expedition to India. It is historically one of the most momentous voyages, establishing the legendary sea route to India

After spending time on the island, the team soon realised there was a massive problem with the harvesting of sea turtles. The area’s status as an Environmental Protection Area had no impact, as the island and its neighbouring town of Boror  are so remote, that law enforcement is almost impossible. While researching for a documentary about the island and the threats to turtles, the crew uncovered many underlying issues. They realised that there were numerous other species in grave danger of becoming extinct; the main issues being over-harvesting, the general depletion of natural resources, and the destruction of habitat.

 

Our History

We also want to tackle the social and economic issues that feed into our ability to ensure the conservation of the area. Our presence alone has already deterred illegal fishers from coming to the island. However, just being present is not enough. We must find a sustainable solution, that will have a lasting, positive effect on both human and animals inhabitants, long after we are gone.

Whenever an opportunity has presented itself, we have worked on a strategy to develop ideas into sustainable projects that will provide the local population with education, an alternative source of income and nutrition.

hawksbill face and patterns illustration by saskia rezelman

Marine & Island Conservation

In the south of Mozambique, there is a very successful marine conservation program in the Maputo National Park, driven by Peace Parks and Mozambican Parks Board, under the leadership of Miguel Gonçalves. Their model works well and seemed like the obvious place to start with the documentary, to establish if the same model could be implemented in the North, and on the islands.

Miguel Gonçalves took charge of Maputo National Park Marine Conservation, eight years ago, and since then, they’ve had considerable success challenging the problems with poaching of turtles and other threatened species in the area.

Miguel realised that to successfully overcome these issues, he needed to educate and involve the local communities. Instead of enforcing the laws, his team empowered community members to become conservation leaders and turtle monitors, providing an alternative income opportunity to poaching.

The Maputo National Park now has a highly successful marine and terrestrial conservation program, that involves the local community in monitoring the nesting areas, tagging the turtles, and offering guided turtle walks during the nesting and hatching seasons.

Further north in Ilha do Fogo and the neighbouring coastal districts, our goal is to turn the archipelago into a safe haven for marine species, particularly for critically endangered hawksbill and endangered green turtles nesting in the area.

hawksbill face and patterns illustration by saskia rezelman

Marine Conservation

In the south of Mozambique, there is a very successful marine conservation program in the Maputo National Park, driven by Peace Parks and Mozambican Parks Board, under the leadership of Miguel Gonçalves. Their model works well and seemed like the obvious place to start with the documentary, to establish if the same model could be implemented in the North, and on the islands.

Miguel Gonçalves took charge of Maputo National Park Marine Conservation, eight years ago, and since then, they’ve had considerable success challenging the problems with poaching of turtles and other threatened species in the area.

Miguel realised that to successfully overcome these issues, he needed to educate and involve the local communities. Instead of enforcing the laws, his team empowered community members to become conservation leaders and turtle monitors, providing an alternative income opportunity to poaching.

The Maputo National Park now has a highly successful marine and terrestrial conservation program, that involves the local community in monitoring the nesting areas, tagging the turtles, and offering guided turtle walks during the nesting and hatching seasons.

Further north in Ilha do Fogo and the neighbouring coastal districts, our goal is to turn the archipelago into a safe haven for marine species, particularly for critically endangered hawksbill and endangered green turtles nesting in the area.