The Parcel Manuel Luiz is a marine State Park, and it is truly amazing how different it is to dive in a protected area. During our first dive we saw many large fish, usually not seen in areas frequented by fishermen.

The rare Marbled Grouper

The rare Marbled Grouper (Dermatolepis inermis).

The Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) is rarely seen outside marine protected areas, but it was common at Parcel Manuel Luiz.

The Black Grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) is rarely seen outside marine protected areas, but it was common at Parcel Manuel Luiz.

Our first dive also brought a welcome surprise. During my last trip to the area back in 1999 we noticed that the rare and endemic fire coral Millepora laboreli was severely affected by bleaching. Back then, all of the colonies seen were bleached or dead. Today there are signs of recovery and we saw many colonies alive and well.

The endemic fire coral Millepora laboreli.

The endemic fire coral Millepora laboreli.

Another colony of Millepora laboreli.

Another colony of Millepora laboreli.

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