Last Friday, November 8th, surrounded by friends, colleagues, and nature advocates, I had the joy of launching the book “Turtle Bay: Marine Riches of Espírito Santo’s Capital.” This event, held at the Projeto Tamar in Vitória, celebrated the biodiversity that enriches our city and our dream of protecting this natural heritage.
A Personal Connection with Turtle Bay
For me, working with Turtle Bay is a personal journey. Since I first set foot on the beaches of Vitória as a child, I’ve felt a deep connection to this region, full of stories that yearned to be told. During my speech at the event, I recalled the moments that brought me here and my vision of the importance of preserving our biodiversity. Each camera click and each image I share is an invitation for everyone to join us in protecting this ecosystem.
The Event
The launch brought together about 200 people, from the local community to figures in social and environmental fields. The event was designed to be inclusive, with tickets distributed for free so that everyone had the chance to participate. To the sound of the band O Quarto Crescente, guests dove into the book’s stories and could also experience other parts of this project, such as the first episode of the audiovisual series Turtle Bay and a traveling exhibition showcasing enlarged photos from the book.
Capturing Life in Turtle Bay
Featuring around 500 images, “Turtle Bay: Marine Riches of Espírito Santo’s Capital” is the result of years of dedication and collaboration. The publication aims to be a visual testimony to the fauna and flora that inhabit the Turtle Bay Environmental Protection Area (APA). With contributions from other photographers and specialists, it becomes a collective tribute to our Capixaba coast. It was a privilege to create this work, which also includes informative illustrations, ecosystem descriptions, and details about local species, turning it into a lasting record of our region’s heritage.
Challenges and Beauty of the Bay
For those unfamiliar, Turtle Bay APA is a gem on Vitória’s urban coastline. Created in 2018, this Conservation Area faces ongoing challenges from urban pressure and pollution. The area is home to an astonishing marine biodiversity, including Green Turtles, Loggerheads, corals, and many vibrant small species. This book, resulting from expeditions that began in 2013, is an effort to capture these wonders, highlighting the importance of conserving these habitats.
What Vitória’s Nature Has Taught Me
The journey to capture Turtle Bay on film helped me realize something special about Espírito Santo. Although I’ve traveled to other continents and explored biodiversity around the world, I always return with the conviction that our region is a treasure trove of life. Through underwater dives and walks along the coast, my camera has captured scenes that make me appreciate Capixaba biodiversity, as rich as anywhere in the world.
A Gift to Our Land
This book is a visual record—a gift to Vitória and to all who believe in the importance of preserving Turtle Bay. It represents our commitment to nature and to people because preservation goes beyond protecting flora and fauna. It also means strengthening the communities’ relationships with these environments, fostering sustainable tourism and environmental education. At the launch, my friend and current president of Instituto Últimos Refúgios, Iasmin Macedo, expressed this by emphasizing the tourism and cultural potential of the Bay, an area that inspires not only admiration but also responsibility.
To Protect, We Must First Know
Through this cultural product, we extend a visual invitation to conserve “Turtle Bay.” The book encourages everyone to see our coastline with new eyes. I believe that by learning about the beauty and complexity of our ecosystem, we become more inclined to protect it. May this story inspire many others to become defenders of the Bay and the lives it shelters.
SHARE THIS STORY
Thank you to everyone who joined us on this journey. May Turtle Bay inspire, enchant, and move hearts. Visit, comment, like, and share this story. Send the link to friends who will appreciate this cause. I hope you enjoyed this story. See you in the next adventure!
The book project is a realization of Instituto Últimos Refúgios and the Turtle Bay Conservation Project, made possible by Espírito Santo's Cultural Incentive Law (LICC) of the Secretariat of Culture (Secult), with sponsorship from Grupo Águia Branca, support from Grafitusa, and a partnership with Vitória’s City Hall. The launch also had support from Projeto Tamar.
HOW TO OBTAIN THE BOOK
Books were distributed at the launch and will be donated to schools, research institutions, and conservation projects. If you would like to obtain a copy, it is available through a donation to Instituto Últimos Refúgios. Donors usually receive gifts, ranging from mugs and T-shirts to books.
Contact the Institute at contato@ultimosrefugios.org.br for more details on how to make a donation.
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Nature photographer and cinematographer, founder of Instituto Últimos Refúgios, Master in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, passionate about the environment! Join me on this incredible journey of wildlife discoveries and see more beautiful stories as I constantly explore nature.
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