• The Azores archipelago has created the largest network of marine protected areas in Europe.
• The protected area will cover 30 per cent of the ocean surrounding the archipelago.
• A result achieved through an inclusive approach.

The Azores, an autonomous Portuguese archipelago, have passed legislation to create the largest network of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the North Atlantic Ocean. This new network, covering 287,000 square kilometres, encompasses 30 per cent of the ocean surrounding the archipelago. Of this area, half is "fully protected", while the other half is classified as "highly protected".

In "fully protected" areas, extractive or destructive activities are prohibited, such as fishing, while activities such as diving, swimming and marine tourism are regulated, Luis Bernardo Brito e Abreu, adviser to the president of the Azores government, explained to Mongabay. In "highly protected" zones, only low-impact activities are permitted, such as hook-and-line fishing. The goal, according to Brito e Abreu, was to maximise conservation efforts, minimise the impact of fishing and create opportunities for economic growth through tourism and other sectors of the blue economy.

The importance of mapping the Azores seabed

The creation of this MPA was made possible by scientific expeditions conducted in 2016 and 2018 by researchers from various local and international organisations, who mapped 21,469 km² of seabed surrounding the Azores. Alan Friedlander, senior scientist with National Geographic's Pristine Seas initiative, who took part in the expeditions, emphasised that the mapping revealed unique geological features, including more than 300 seamounts that are home to deep-water corals and sponges, which are vulnerable to the impacts of fishing. These seamounts, many of which remain scientifically unexplored, were exploited in the past through bottom trawling and have been struck by fishing gear. The mapping work shed light on the ecological fragility and importance of these areas.

The expeditions also highlighted how the Azores represent an important waypoint for numerous migratory marine species, such as whales, dolphins and seabirds. The region, described by Friedlander as a "biodiversity corridor", connects marine species between the Americas, Europe and Africa. MPA networks such as the one created in the Azores help connect different habitats and ecosystems, creating a safety net against local threats such as pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction. This interconnection ensures that, should one area sustain damage, other areas can help maintain the ecological balance.

An inclusive approach to engage the community

The process of demarcating the protected area required more than 40 meetings between the government and various Azorean communities, including representatives from the fishing industry, maritime transport, tourism and environmental NGOs. An inclusive approach that made it possible to take into account the needs and concerns of the various stakeholders, fostering a balance between environmental conservation and economic development.

The new protected area in the Azores, the largest in Europe, represents a significant step towards achieving the global goal of protecting 30 per cent of the planet's land and oceans by 2030. Brito e Abreu emphasised that island regions, which are on the front line in facing the impacts of climate change, should set an example for the rest of the world. The hope, he added, is that the Azores will demonstrate how it is possible to protect one's ocean while at the same time ensuring sustainable economic growth.