Lockout operation protects sea turtles and provides tranquility on Atalaia Beach
Joint action by public agencies and volunteers ensures preservation and safety at the site.
Awareness, dialogue, and tranquility marked the last day of the lockout operation in 3 km of Atalaia Beach’s sand strip, in Salinópolis, a location known as “Ponta da Sofia.” The goal was to protect a crucial area for the reproduction of five species of sea turtles, all of them endangered. The operation had the collaboration of the Forest Development and Biodiversity Institute (Ideflor-Bio) and several justice, public security, and municipal government agencies.
The measure provided a new tourism experience for those who visit the resort, without the presence of motor vehicles. Pedestrians and water sports enthusiasts, such as surfers, kitesurfers, and paragliders, were able to continue enjoying the area. Doctor Daia Hausseler, who visited the beach with her children, praised the initiative: “Now with this action, we only want to come here. It’s less worrisome, the beach is clearly cleaner in this section, and children can play freely.”
The blocked area is in the Buffer Zone of the Atalaia Natural Monument, one of the 27 Conservation Units of Pará, managed by Ideflor-Bio. The location is one of the last preserved in the region, housing several animal species, including mammals, birds, and sea turtles.
The Director of Management and Monitoring of Conservation Units at Ideflor-Bio, Socorro Almeida, informed that the action would continue, accompanied by strong environmental education work. “We are using the media, talking to people, and we will continue this work as an educational measure so that we can achieve the expected result, which is the preservation of these species,” she said.
The joint operation had the support of various government agencies and volunteers from the Management Council of the Atalaia Natural Monument and the Suruanã Project. Márcio Emídio, coordinator of the Legal Consultancy of the State Secretariat of Public Security and Social Defense (Segup), highlighted the importance of integrated actions: “This partnership is what makes everything stronger, easier, and lighter for everyone to work.”
The lockout operation on Atalaia Beach in Salinópolis demonstrated the importance of collaboration between public agencies, volunteers, and society for environmental preservation and visitor well-being. The action ensured the protection of a crucial area for sea turtle reproduction and provided a more peaceful and safe tourism experience for the site’s visitors.
The success of this initiative should serve as an example for other regions, emphasizing the importance of environmental preservation and educating the population on species conservation and their habitats. The continuity of lockout and environmental education actions on Atalaia Beach demonstrates the commitment of those involved to ensuring a sustainable future for sea turtles and the local ecosystem.
With information from Agência Pará.
