The Cassurubá Extractive Reserve is in parts of the municipalities of Alcobaça, Caravelas and Nova Viçosa in the state of Bahia.

[2] It covers the Caravelas River estuary and the coastal region to the north of the municipal seat of Nova Viçosa on the Atlantic coast of Bahia.

The south coast of Bahia is an important area for breeding and nursing of humpback whales.

The main pressures come from crab and shellfish pickers from outside the reserve, who use techniques that degrade the environment, and from tourist resorts and shrimp farms.

The purpose is to protect livelihoods and ensure conservation of renewable natural resources traditionally used by extractive population in the area.