Azores create largest marine protected area in North Atlantic

A view shows Faja da Caldeira Santo Cristo, Azores, Portugal, March 30, 2022. 

Reuters/Pedro Nunes/File Photo Purchase LicensingRighs

From Reuters 

 

Portugal has recently created Europe’s largest Marine Protected Areas network, helping protect the unique underwater ecosystems of the Azores.  

The regional assembly of Portugal's Azores Islands approved the creation of the largest protected marine area in the North Atlantic to reach international conservation goals well ahead of time.

see mpatlas.org

 

Acores (IHPT ENC) coverage with the GeoGarage platform
 

The approval late on Thursday places the archipelago at the forefront of global ocean conservation that aims to achieve the goals set by the United Nations of protecting 30% of the Earth's land and sea by 2030 under a global pact adopted last year.

A man looks over a cliff edge on the Vila Franca Islet, the exposed remains of a volcanic cone and a protected nature reserve, off Sao Miguel Island in the Azores archipelago, Portugal July 2, 2024.  

Reuters/Darrin Zammit Lupi/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

 

The network will encompass almost 300,000 square kilometres (115,830 square miles) and ensures the preservation of underwater mountain ranges and vulnerable marine ecosystems, including deep-sea corals, hydrothermal vents and marine species.
"We have acted in advance of the international conservation goals for 2030 with the creation of the largest marine park in the North Atlantic, with fully protected areas and highly protected areas," Bernardo Brito e Abreu, adviser to the Azorean government on maritime affairs told Reuters on Friday.

This Sentinel2 image provides a partially cloud-free view of the protected waters south of the islands of São Jorge, Faial, and Pico.

 

He explained that half of the network would be designated as a fully protected area, which means fishing activities are not allowed. In the other half, designated as a highly protected area, only very selective fishing will be allowed.
The nine-island archipelago is an autonomous region roughly 1,500 km (932 miles) west of mainland Portugal and home to unique marine biodiversity.

 

🌊 The Azores is leading with the 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰.
This area was designed to benefit people, nature, and the economy.
⬇️⬇️https://t.co/rSimKw1xST@WaittInstitute pic.twitter.com/Hd1RUDnH3C

— Oceano Azul Foundation (@OceanoAzulF) October 21, 2024

The Azores government chief Jose Manuel Bolieiro said the region was leading by example at national, European and international levels in the management and protection of its waters and "making a significant contribution to Portugal meeting the international targets for the decade".

 Links :

• EcoWatch : North Atlantic’s Largest Marine Protected Area Created by Portugal’s Azores Islands
• National Geographic : The Azores Establishes Largest Marine Protected Area Network in Europe
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