Marine Park of Moheli facts for kids
The Mohéli Marine Park is a special ocean area in the Comoros islands. It's located in the Mozambique Canal, which is part of the Indian Ocean. This park was the very first protected area created in the Comoros. It was officially started on April 19, 2002.
What is the Mohéli Marine Park?
A marine park is like a national park, but for the ocean! It's a place where marine life, like fish, whales, and coral, is kept safe from harm. The Mohéli Marine Park helps protect a huge part of the sea, covering about 404 square kilometers (that's about 156 square miles). This large area gives many ocean animals a safe home to live and grow.
Why is it Special?
The Mohéli Marine Park is home to many amazing and sometimes rare sea creatures. You can find different kinds of sharks swimming in its waters. It's also a very important place for huge humpback whales, which visit the area. Other cool animals like dolphins also live here. One of the most incredible residents is the Coelacanth, a very ancient type of fish that was once thought to be extinct!
Protecting the Ocean
The main goal of the Mohéli Marine Park is to keep these important marine species and their homes safe. By protecting this area, it helps make sure that these animals can continue to live and thrive for many years. It also helps keep the ocean healthy for everyone.
How it Started
The idea for the Mohéli Marine Park came from a special effort that brought people together. Both international groups and local communities on Mohéli Island worked hand-in-hand to create this protected area. This teamwork was very important because it meant that everyone agreed on the need to protect the ocean and its creatures. Mohéli Island was chosen as the perfect spot for this important conservation project.
