The protected area, which covers 884 hectares (2,180 acres) of coastal marine land, was established on 5 June 1986.

[1] The reserve is part of the Fernando de Noronha municipality of Pernambuco state.

After that non-native species, particularly flaxseed, were introduced to feed livestock and have spread uncontrollably.

Despite the stated objective of recovery of the environment, sheep continued to be farmed on the island.

[3] Protected species include green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), the coral Phyllogorgia dilatata and the fish species island hogfish (Bodianus insularis), Anthias salmopunctatus, butterflyfish (Prognathodes obliquus) and Stegastes sanctipauli.