A study project for a new Marine Protected Area of Community Interest (AMPIC) between Cascais, Mafra and Sintra was presented this week. The project was developed in conjunction with the three municipalities, with the contribution of the Oceano Azul Foundation and the presence of the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho. This process is inspired by the scientific and participatory model developed in the Algarve for the creation of the Algarve Reef Marine Nature Park – Pedra do Valado, the result of a process led by CCMAR.
The initiative is now entering a new phase dedicated to strengthening the scientific knowledge and technical basis that will underpin the future proposal for the protection and management of this marine area. CCMAR researchers are also involved in this new scientific process, contributing with the experience gained in developing the model applied in the Algarve. The ongoing studies will deepen knowledge about marine ecosystems along this coast, allowing the identification of habitats and species of high ecological value, supporting the definition of conservation and sustainable management measures.
The participation of a CCMAR team aims to support the deepening of ecological knowledge of the region and strengthen the integration between scientific research, coastal management and community participation. Scientists from MARE-University of Lisbon and University of Évora, New University of Lisbon, SPEA and the Hydrographic Institute are participating in these studies.
By adopting an integrated approach that combines science, institutional cooperation and the participation of coastal communities, the new project aims, similar to the model implemented in the Algarve, to develop a proposal for a marine protected area that contributes to the conservation of the region's marine ecosystems, while promoting the sustainable management of sea-related activities.
