O Santuário Ecológico de Ilhabela como área marinha protegida a ser incorporada ao SNUC: panorama atual e próximos passos

Ilhabela Ecological Sanctuary is a marine protected area created through a municipal decree in 1992. Since that time it was possible to identify evidences of environmental degradation caused by human activities in the area. According to the most recent law of protected areas in Brazil (SNUC), the category "Ecological Sanctuary" is no longer valid, demanding the area to be reclassified within the new law. The tourism and correlated services are the main sources of income for Ilhabela. However, if poorly planned, tourism activities can lead to social, environmental and economic impacts. The Ecological Sanctuary is placed in a region that houses a rich marine fauna, the Sao Sebastiao Channel. This area, however, also suffers with great anthropic pressure, which may endanger the health and well-being of residents, tourists and local marine fauna. In the last years groups have presented data to attempt the reclassification of the Sanctuary, with no success to the present moment. This article aims to contextualize the current situation of Ilhabela Ecological Sanctuary, present subsidies that justify its reclassification and indicate ways to continue the process.