The APA of Pau Brasil covers an area of 9.940 hectares, understanding its continental, insular and maritim parts. It is in Região dos Lagos, Rio de Janeiro State, in a territory between Tucuns Beach, in Búzios, and Canal do Itajuru, in Cabo Frio. This area has constant antropic interventions, because of the real state growth, the predatory tourism, the favelas and quiosques.

The protection of Serra das Emerências, in Dunas do Peró, and the islands is fundamental for the preservation of big areas of Mata Atlântica. The protection of the marine part, including the bottom and the surface is important for the supplies of fishing boats and the fish that is not consumed by men.

The Plano Diretor (Director Plan) is the instrument to pretend to plan the activities for the consolidation of the APA and institute the tecnical instruments, directions and recommendations for the management of the unit of conservation. Its elaboration will have to be in a participative way, involving all the local and governmental social actors.