Marine protected areas
Marine protected areas
An elegant tool for ocean conservation and management
Protecting the ocean and its rich biodiversity stands as one of today's greatest challenges. Over the past decade, the world has rallied behind the creation of marine protected areas as vital tools for conserving and sustainably managing marine resources. Now, there's global pressure to reach the ambitious 30 by 30 goal: safeguarding 30% of the Ocean by 2030.
In simple terms, establishing a marine protected area involves defining a specific marine zone governed by tailored laws to regulate human activities that could harm its habitats and ecosystems. This safeguarding initiative aims to preserve habitats, nurture biodiversity, especially for endangered species, and ensure the sustainable use of marine resources both within and beyond its boundaries.
Though the concept of marine protected areas seems straightforward, their implementation and management are anything but simple. Effective marine protected areas require robust scientific insights to enhance their design, understand their advantages, and assess their outcomes. Moreover, we must find ways to involve communities and stakeholders, fostering support for conservation and ensuring adherence to regulations. This is where our dedicated team comes into play.
Advancing marine protection
From conducting ground-breaking conservation studies to forging strategic partnerships at national and international level, our team actively contributes to the promotion, implementation and management of marine protected areas in Portugal and beyond.
Finding common ground
Marine protected areas come in all shapes and sizes, but not all are equally effective. Some are well-protected, while others exist only on paper. They cover different parts of the ocean, from coasts to open waters, and vary greatly in size. This diversity leads to debates about how well they work, which can make people doubt their value and make it harder to protect marine life.
Our scientists are working to improve marine protected areas worldwide. We're joining international efforts to create guidelines and methods to help everyone involved understand how well these areas are working and how to classify them. By bringing people together and making sure everyone speaks the same language, we're making it easier to protect our oceans and the creatures that call them home.
Conservation in action
Despite Portugal's vast ocean and coastal expanse, and its deep-rooted historical ties to the sea, the nation has yet to fulfil its international commitments to ocean protection targets. Our research highlights the urgent need to bolster protection efforts and extend coverage in Portuguese waters to meet global standards.
Our researchers actively contribute to shaping policy by participating in the MPA Network Working Group, a collaborative effort aimed at establishing an effective national marine protected areas network. Through direct involvement with existing areas and valuable research contributions, CCMAR plays a pivotal role in enhancing several Portuguese marine protected areas.
Algarve Reef - Pedra do Valado Natural Park
Nestled along the southern coastline of the Algarve, lies mainland Portugal's largest coastal rocky reef—a precious ecosystem teeming with marine biodiversity and productivity. Recognizing its significance and the threats posed by human activities, our researchers have partnered with local and national stakeholders to establish the Recife do Algarve - Pedra do Valado Marine Natural Park.
Officially approved in late 2023, this marine protected area emerged from the AMPIC project—a pioneering initiative led by CCMAR. Grounded in robust scientific research and community engagement from inception, the park's design was crafted through a collaborative effort involving 80 stakeholders. This innovative approach, celebrated for its inclusivity and potential conservation impact, even garnered attention at COP28.
Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina Natural Park
Established around 2018, the Sudoeste Alentejano and Vicentina Coast Natural Park is the largest marine protected area in mainland Portugal. CCMAR has been at the forefront, working with academic and conservation partners to map and monitor the park's biodiversity with scientific rigour. The 269km² sanctuary is home to a diverse array of marine life, including some 1900 species, 38 of which are listed as endangered and 17 of which are considered endemic, at least.
Through initiatives such as the MARSW project, CCMAR has been heavily involved in assessing the park's conservation status and recommending key management strategies. Beyond scientific efforts, CCMAR has actively engaged with the community through educational programmes, resources and environmental awareness initiatives. Today, CCMAR remains committed to providing scientific expertise for the sustainable management of this marine ecosystem.
Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park
Stretching along 38 km of the Arrábida coast, the unique marine life present in these waters thrives under the protection of the Professor Luiz Saldanha Marine Park. Established in 1998 and fully regulated in 2009, this sanctuary finds scientific backing through CCMAR's Programa BIOMARES, initiated in 2007 in collaboration with strategic partner MARE-ISPA.
For nearly two decades, this enduring program has played a pivotal role in supporting conservation efforts within the marine park. Through scientific research, our team has characterized ecosystems, restored biodiversity, and monitored the impact of protection measures. Moreover, we have fostered engagement with local communities, stakeholders, and visitors, nurturing a shared commitment to safeguarding the special Arrábida sea.
Ria Formosa Natural Park
Established in 1987 to protect its ecological wealth and foster sustainable development in the eastern Algarve, the Ria Formosa Natural Park stands as a beacon of conservation. Partnering with local stakeholders, CCMAR plays a central role in co-managing and preserving this vital area.
Through ongoing research initiatives and active participation in the Co-Management Committee of this natural park, CCMAR brings valuable research insights to the table. Notably, our involvement has sparked innovative projects such as blue carbon assessment and raising public awareness of the value of seagrass meadows. Recently, we supported local authorities in protecting one of Ria’s most iconic inhabitants, the seahorse, with the creation of two sanctuary zones.
Marine protected areas in Azores
In the Azores Archipelago, marine protected areas span over 110,000 square kilometers, safeguarding a wealth of diverse habitats and species. CCMAR researchers play an integral role in advising policymakers on regional legislative processes and actively engage in scientific initiatives, such as the Blue Azores Programme and the Group of Marine Protected Areas of the Azores (GAMPA) of Okeanos. Through our contributions, we aid in the assessment and monitoring of biodiversity in the archipelago's pristine waters.
