Life in Cabo Verde | Marine life
Green sea turtle
The tropical marine environment of the Cape Verde islands of Boavista, Sal and Maio is reported to have a high diversity of sea life. Boavista is part of the Macaronesia Wetlands. Coral reefs are also found extensively in Cape Verde, considered as one of the “world’s ten most important coral reefs”.
Marine species reported are bridled dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, long-beaked common dolphin, blue whale, humpback whale, Blainville's beaked whale, common porpoise, barracuda's, moray eels and marine turtles (5 species). Turtles migrate across the Atlantic to breed from May to October. The most prominent species is the endangered loggerhead sea turtle(Caretta caretta). Other species of turtle are the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) which is critically endangered; the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), endangered; leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Hunting of sea turtles remains prevalent per an UNEP report, however turtle conservation measures began in 2008.
Eighteen species of whales and dolphins have been recorded in the waters of the Cape Verde archipelago. The area is cited as one of two known breeding grounds for the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) of the Northern Hemisphere. Humpback whales migrate annually from the North Sea to winter around Cape Verde from January to mid-May. The humpback whale population became limited due to severe overfishing during the 19th century and, although the total North Atlantic population of humpbacks had rebounded to more than 10,000 individuals by 1993.
Blue Whales
The Cabo Verdes lived from whaling in the bad old days. Numbers are much reduced. In summer a few sperm and right whales bring their calves into Murdeira Villas Bay for weaning. You may be lucky enough to see them from a hired boat from Murdeira Villas resort. There are also dolphins at times.Many other fish can be seen by divers at the right times of year including the massive plankton-eating whale shark . Despite 650 years of human settlement, Cabo Verde still hosts a high degree of biodiversity, featuring many species of animals and plants that are found nowhere else, according to WWF. The surrounding waters of the Atlantic Ocean provide important feeding grounds for marine turtles and breeding humpback whales, as well as fishing grounds for both local and international fishers. Recent studies have also found coral reefs of global significance off the coast of several of the islands.With help from WWF and Natura 2000, the Government has identified and declared 47 protected areas throughout the archipelago.
