Azores Designates Europe’s Largest Marine Reserve: Safeguarding Ocean Biodiversity
The Azores set a new benchmark for marine protection, designating the largest marine reserve in Europe to preserve biodiversity and ocean health.
Azores Declares Europe’s Largest Marine Protected Area
The Autonomous Region of the Azores, an archipelago belonging to Portugal in the North Atlantic Ocean, has made a landmark decision in marine conservation by declaring Europe’s largest marine reserve. This move designates 287,000 square kilometers – accounting for 30% of the sea surrounding the Azores – as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, instantly becoming the largest such network in the North Atlantic and a major precedent within the European Union’s conservation policy framework.
What Is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?
A Marine Protected Area is a section of the ocean where human activity is restricted to protect biodiversity, replenish fish stocks, and maintain healthy ecosystems. Activities that threaten these environments—such as overfishing, mining, and certain forms of tourism—are often strictly regulated or completely prohibited.
A Historic Leap for Ocean Conservation
This groundbreaking legislation aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a global agreement where 196 countries pledged to protect at least 30% of Earth’s land and oceans by 2030, commonly referred to as the “30×30 target”. The Azores move not only propels Portugal to the forefront of marine protection in Europe but also strengthens international aspirations under the UN Biodiversity Convention (COP16).
- Size: 287,000 square kilometers (over 110,800 square miles)
- Coverage: 30% of the Azorean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- Network: Largest MPA in Europe & North Atlantic
- Status: Half fully protected (no resource extraction), half highly protected (minimal impact activities)
Why the Azores Matter in Marine Protection
The Azores archipelago is uniquely positioned in the North Atlantic, located about 1,400 km (870 miles) west of mainland Portugal. The region comprises nine volcanic islands but commands a vast ocean territory, controlling approximately one million square kilometers of marine environment—55% of Portugal’s waters and about 15% of all European waters.
This maritime zone is a veritable hotspot of marine biodiversity, hosting:
- Over 2,500 species of marine animals and plants
- Key migratory routes for whales, dolphins, and sea turtles
- Endangered seabirds and deep-sea corals
- Unique underwater geological features like seamounts and hydrothermal vents
How the New Reserve Is Structured
The new MPA has a two-tier structure to balance strict conservation with sustainable use of ocean resources:
- Fully Protected Zones: 50% of the area is designated as no-take zones—strictly banning any extractive or destructive activities, including fishing and mining. Tourism, diving, and scientific research may continue under tight regulation.
- Highly Protected Zones: In the remaining 50%, only activities with low total environmental impact, such as small-scale pole-and-line fishing, are permitted. The emphasis is on sustainable actions that do not undermine the ecosystem’s recovery and resilience.
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The Urgency: Global Context for Ocean Protection
This achievement comes at a crucial time as global oceans face unprecedented threats:
- Biodiversity loss: Overfishing, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction continue to accelerate species decline worldwide.
- Insufficient global protection: Currently, less than 3% of the world’s oceans are considered fully or highly protected, far short of the 30% goal for 2030.
- Climate change impact: Oceans absorb excess heat and carbon dioxide, and resilient marine ecosystems are vital in mitigating the worst impacts on both nature and human societies.
According to conservation experts, if the current rate of marine protection continues, the UN’s 2030 target would not be met until the year 2107, making rapid, large-scale interventions like the Azores’ essential.
Scientific Backing and Inclusive Decision-Making
The process of creating this reserve was deeply rooted in scientific research and inclusive policy:
- Multiple expeditions from local and international institutions surveyed marine life, seafloor habitats, and ecosystem health in 2016 and 2018, generating a robust data foundation for effective management.
- Policy was shaped through dialogue among the regional government, scientific experts, local communities (including fishers and tourism operators), and global NGOs. This ensures that protections are both ecologically meaningful and socially equitable.
Societal and Economic Benefits
Beyond ecological importance, the policy aims to support the Azores’ cultural and socio-economic vitality:
- Preserving identity: The Azorean sea is central to the archipelago’s collective identity, playing a vital role in social, cultural, and economic life.
- Blue economy boost: By protecting natural capital, the region strengthens sustainable ocean-based industries such as eco-tourism, research, and artisanal fisheries.
- Fisheries recovery: Well-managed MPAs often lead to spillover effects, increasing fish abundance and supporting long-term food security.
What Activities Are Allowed and Prohibited?
| Zone Type | Extractive Activities (e.g., Fishing) | Recreational/Tourism | Scientific Research |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully Protected | Prohibited | Permitted (under regulation) | Permitted (with permit) |
| Highly Protected | Minimal-impact, small-scale allowed | Permitted (regulated) | Permitted (regulated) |
This simple zoning ensures ecosystem preservation is prioritized, with large, undisturbed core areas and adjacent zones allowing carefully controlled use.
Setting an International Precedent
The Azores’ MPA legislation is seen by observers as a blueprint for science-based, participatory marine protection. It directly supports:
- The European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
- The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Regional blue economy and sustainable tourism models
This leadership is all the more significant as global negotiations on biodiversity continue, with nations under pressure at forums like COP16 to increase ambition and adopt clear implementation strategies.
Looking Beyond the Azores: Portugal’s Broader Marine Ambition
The Azores declaration builds on Portugal’s recent achievements in ocean stewardship:
- Earlier in 2024, Portugal created another vast marine sanctuary around the Gorringe Ridge, a biodiversity hotspot featuring 850 marine species, expanding its nationally protected waters from 19% to 27%.
- As an island nation with both continental and insular territory, Portugal has emerged as a continental leader, according to its Environment Minister, Maria da Graça Carvalho.
Steps taken in the Azores reinforce Portugal’s reputation for progressive ocean governance and serve as a model for European and global maritime nations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where are the Azores located?
A: The Azores are a group of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic, approximately 1,400 km west of mainland Portugal. They form an autonomous region of Portugal, surrounded by a vast exclusive economic zone.
Q: What makes this marine reserve the largest in Europe?
A: The newly designated MPA network spans 287,000 square kilometers, making it the largest connected area of protected marine space within both European and North Atlantic boundaries.
Q: Why is 30% ocean protection important?
A: Scientists and policymakers recognize that protecting at least 30% of the ocean is vital to reverse biodiversity loss, boost climate resilience, and secure ecosystem services for humanity’s future.
Q: Will local communities be affected negatively?
A: The planning process included local resident and fisher input, aiming to balance conservation with sustainable economic opportunities like eco-tourism and small-scale fishing in highly protected areas.
Q: How will enforcement be managed?
A: The Azorean government, supported by national Portuguese authorities, is implementing monitoring, regular assessment, and international cooperation to enforce the reserve’s rules and adapt management as needed.
Conclusion: A Blueprint for Ocean Recovery
By establishing the largest Marine Protected Area in Europe, the Azores have made an historic contribution to the future of the world’s oceans. This action not only protects a crucial biodiversity hotspot but also signals the acceleration needed to achieve global environmental goals. Other nations now have a clear, science-backed model to follow, making the Azores declaration a pivotal moment in the journey toward sustainable stewardship of our planet’s blue heart.
References
- https://mymodernmet.com/portugal-marine-protected-area/
- https://oceanographicmagazine.com/news/azores-creates-europes-largest-marine-protected-area/
- https://sevenseasmedia.org/azores-establishes-largest-marine-protected-area-network-in-north-atlantic/
- https://divemagazine.com/scuba-diving-news/azores-declared-europes-largest-marine-protected-area
- https://news.mongabay.com/short-article/the-azores-creates-largest-marine-protected-area-network-in-the-north-atlantic/
- https://xqthenews.com/en/portugal-creates-europes-largest-network-of-marine-protected-areas/
- https://www.weforum.org/videos/azores-marine-protected-area/
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