As the world prepares for the UN Conference on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), the Autonomous Region of the Azores has passed a groundbreaking law establishing the largest network of marine protected areas in the North Atlantic.
This historic decision protects 30% of the 287,000 km² of marine area around the Azores archipelago, half of which is fully protected and where no natural resources are exploited. The other half of the network is heavily protected. This is a significant milestone for global marine conservation and an important precedent for the upcoming biodiversity negotiations.
The Azores decision comes at a crucial time as nations worldwide work to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, in which 196 countries agreed to protect 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030 (30×30). goal) is crucial for the future health of the planet. The legislation is groundbreaking for the European Union’s 2030 biodiversity strategy and advances global marine conservation goals.
Marine protected areas are widely recognized as the most effective tool in global efforts to reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen ocean resilience to climate change. The Azores’ leadership is inspiring considering that less than 3% of the world’s oceans are fully or highly protected.
“The Azores have long been known for their unique marine nature, and with this decision we are paving the way for a productive, vibrant sea. The sea is an integral part of our collective identity as it is vital socially, culturally and economically. We are committed to protecting and recovering our oceans to support a healthy blue economy. Our decision, through a science-based and participatory process, leading to the protection of 30% of our oceans, serves as an example that other regions must now follow to ensure the future health of our planet.” José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores.
The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the middle of the North Atlantic. The Azores Sea, with an area of about 1,000,000 km², represents 55% of Portuguese waters and about 15% of European waters. It contains some of the most important, unique and sensitive island, offshore and deep-sea environments in the North Atlantic. The now approved network of marine protected areas creates a haven for nature, such as sharks, fish, whales, deep-sea corals and unique hydrothermal vent ecosystems, resulting in a healthy sea on which the blue economy and Azorean communities depend.
The creation of this marine protected area network was successful thanks to a comprehensive participatory process. In total, the government held more than 40 meetings with representatives from various sectors, including fisheries, maritime transport, maritime tourism and environmental non-governmental organizations. The result was the joint design of a network of marine protected areas that benefits people, nature and the economy and is based on the best available science in the region.
- High-resolution underwater and drone photos
- High-resolution maps of the protected area network
- B-roll footage of marine life in the Azores
- List of press spokespersons
MPAs: Critical Tools for Ocean Health
A marine protected area (MPA) is an area in the sea designed to protect nature and restrict human activities. Science shows that fully and strongly protected MPAs have the greatest benefits for both nature and people. The MPA Guide defines different types of protection as follows:
- Complete protection: No extractive or destructive activities are permitted; all avoidable impacts are reduced to a minimum.
- High protection: Only light extractive activities with low overall impacts are permitted, with all other avoidable impacts minimised.
- Light protection: Biodiversity is protected to some extent, but moderate to significant removal and other disturbances are permitted.
- Minimal Protection: Extensive mining and other disturbances are permitted, but the area still provides some conservation benefit.
Marine protected areas have been proven to have the following benefits:
- Restoring fish populations and improving biodiversity, benefiting local fishing communities through spillover effects
- Protecting critical habitats for endangered species
- Increasing the resilience of ecosystems to climate change and pollution
- Promote sustainable ecotourism
- Supporting sustainable livelihoods in coastal communities
The “Blue Azores” program is aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of the Azores Sea and aims to contribute to the protection, promotion and enhancement of the marine natural capital of the archipelago, based on the best scientific knowledge and with community participation, and new ways for the sustainable economic development of the region. It thus promotes the protection of the seas, the enhancement of nature and the activities that depend on it, and the promotion of a sustainable blue economy Regional Government of the Azoresthe Oceano Azul Foundation and that Waitt Instituteas well as in collaboration with the University of the Azores.
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