Armando Nguenha, the administrator of Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in Inhambane province, has called for the adoption of strict preventive measures to safeguard marine life in light of potential hydrocarbon exploration projects in the region, the Mozambique News Agency reported.
This stance follows reports suggesting the possibility of exploration activities off the coast of Inhambane.
The project, which could cover areas near sensitive conservation zones, including the Kewene Wildlife Sanctuary and the Pomene National Reserve, has raised concerns among protected area managers, who warn of potential impacts on fragile marine ecosystems.
Quoted by the newspaper O País, Armando Nguenha emphasized that hydrocarbon exploration and marine life conservation should not coexist in adjacent areas, arguing for the need for a clear geographical separation between these activities.
“Hydrocarbon exploration and marine life conservation should not occur in close proximity due to the associated environmental risks. Operations such as seismic prospecting can directly interfere with marine animals’ communication systems, with harmful effects on species such as sharks, whales, and other forms of life dependent on the ecosystem’s balance,” he stated.
The official also explained that conducting seismic activities near the park’s boundaries could have particularly negative impacts, since sound travels long distances in the aquatic environment.
“Marine life and exploration are incompatible activities,” he warned.
Nguenha also warned that changes in the ocean’s acoustic environment could cause sensitive species to migrate or even disappear, compromising the region’s ecological balance.
“We could end up with results that run counter to conservation principles. Therefore, any exploration activity must be accompanied by technologies and practices that minimize risks to ecosystems,” he said.
