Pedra de Leste

Pedra de Leste lies in the Parcel das Paredes, on the Abrolhos Bank, and has a sheltered spot known as Ponto UFBA. In May 2010, when strong waves prevented diving at other sites in the Parcel das Paredes, the dive was made there. On that occasion, 29 species of reef fish were counted at Ponto UFBA: Sparisoma axillare was the most abundant, followed by Acanthurus bahianus and Ocyurus chrysurus, and there was an Epinephelus morio being cleaned by a Halichoeres brasiliensis. The tops of the coral heads (chapeirões) have plenty of corals. In 2012, Pedra de Leste was described as an unprotected coastal reef under high fishing pressure, in comparison with reefs in the no-take area of the Abrolhos National Marine Park.