Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago – Omatí Minhô

Map

Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago - Omatí Minhô: A Unique Biodiversity Haven

The Coastal and Marine Ecosystems of the Bijagós Archipelago - Omatí Minhô, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025, represents a remarkable conservation success story in Guinea-Bissau. This extensive network of coastal and marine ecosystems encompasses the marine and intertidal environments of the best-preserved regions within the Bijagós Archipelago.

More to come…

UNESCO Description of the World Heritage Site

The property includes a continuous series of coastal and marine ecosystems, corresponding to the marine and intertidal environments of the best-preserved areas of the Bijagós Archipelago in Guinea-Bissau. The Archipelago is the only active deltaic archipelago on the African Atlantic coast and one of the few in the world. The site is home to a rich biodiversity, including endangered Green and Leatherback turtles, manatees, dolphins, and over 870,000 migratory shorebirds. It features mangroves, mudflats, and intertidal zones vital for marine life, and supports rare plant species, diverse fish populations, and bird colonies. Poilão Island is a globally important nesting site for turtles.

Encyclopedia Record: Bijagós Islands

The Bijagós Islands, also spelled Bijagos and formerly known as Bissagos, are a group of about 88 islands and islets located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.

Read more on Wikipedia