The reserve was created by decree of 2 June 1981 with the objective of preserving significant samples of the original coastal marine environment influenced by the Amazon river.

The shoreline and stream banks are dominated by mangroves, with typical floodplain species of trees in the more elevated areas.

The reserve is used by many migratory birds including American flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber), American yellow warbler (Setophaga petechia), laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), semipalmated plover (Charadrius semipalmatus), greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularius), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), sanderling (Calidris alba), semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla), least tern (Sternula antillarum), common tern (Sterna hirundo), yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), black-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) and barn swallow (Hirundo rustica).

[2] The Ecological Station is a "strict nature reserve" under IUCN protected area category Ia.

The purpose is to conserve significant samples of pioneer formations in the coastal marine environment influenced by the Amazon River.