MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE AZORES
The Study on the Economic Valorization of Ecosystem Services in the Azores Sea carried out by the University of California in 2017 concludes that the main economic activities in the region's sea are fishing and tourism. It also highlights the need to develop a blue economy that protects natural values, ensures the sustainable use of marine resources and improves the quality of life of all civil society, including through new employment opportunities.
A blue economy assumes that economic activities are aligned with the long-term capacity of marine ecosystems to support these activities while remaining resilient and healthy.
THE EVOLUTION OF THE MPAs IN THE AZORES
In 1980, the Azores designated the first marine reserve in Faial, the Baía das Caldeirinhas.
This MPA was created to conserve the populations of limpets and is the only one in the region that prohibits all activities, whether extractive or recreational. At the same time, seven more MPAs with partial protection were designated.
In the 1990s, the increase in commercial fishing, driven by external support policies, led to the decline of fish stocks, such as the seabream. The collapse of limpet populations prompted the creation of no-take zones for this species and coastal MPAs across all the islands. These measures were integrated into a new legal framework, with updated classifications and rules to ensure adequate protection.
The creation of the Island Natural Park (PNI) and the Azores Archipelago Marine Park (PMA)
In 2007, the Island Natural Park (PNI) and the Azores Archipelago Marine Park (PMA) were created, standardizing the MPA typologies with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification. Later that year, the islands of Corvo and Graciosa were named Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO, including part of their marine environments. In 2008, the first NIPs were created, integrating the coastal MPAs of the islands of Corvo, Pico, Faial, Graciosa and São Miguel.
Between 2006 and 2011 , the OSPAR Commission (Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic) included 11 Azorean MPAs in its network, with 7 located within the Portuguese EEZ and 4 in the proposed extension area of the continental shelf. In 2011, the Azores Marine Park was established for oceanic MPAs, and in 2012, the PNI areas of São Jorge, Terceira, Flores, and Santa Maria were created. That same year, the legal framework for nature conservation and biodiversity protection came into force. In 2016, with the amendment of Regional Legislative Decree No. 28/2011/A, MPA coverage in the Azores increased from 1% to 4% of the region's maritime area.
The "Rainbow" MPA, one of the MPAs included, was the first MPA proposed on the Extended Continental Shelf worldwide to be accepted by OSPAR.
THE CONDOR SEAMOUNT
A CASE STUDY IN THE AZORES
The implementation of MPAs in the region has generally been without without the use of participatory processes. An exception was the Condor seamount, an area prohibited from bottom fishing in 2010, whose conservation decision arose from a participatory process between scientists, local fishermen, maritime-tourism operators and the Regional Government of the Azores.
2009: Start of monitoring on this seamount to assess whether the closure of fishing has resulted in the recovery of demersal fish communities over time.
2010:
Ban on bottom fishing.
2016: Designated as a marine ocean protected area.
2022: Publication of a study conducted by Azorean scientists that confirms the benefits of Condor Bank protection for the demersal fish community, in a 10-year protection period (2010-2020)
The results indicated that demersal fish communities are effectively recovering, especially the Goraz species, considered one of the most important commercial species in the Azores. In less than 10 years, the abundance of Goraz increased by 400%, and the average size of individuals also increased remarkably.
THE REGION'S LEADERSHIP
IN MARINE CONSERVATION
In December 2021, the President of the XIII Regional Government of the Azores announced the goal of protecting 30% of the Azores sea, with at least 15% designated as fully protected areas.
This commitment was reaffirmed in 2022 at the United Nations Ocean Conference, highlighting the Azores' leadership in marine conservation, in a global context where less than 3% of the ocean is fully protected.
In 2024, the Region took a decisive step by discussing and approving the new Azores Marine Protected Areas Network (RAMPA) in the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, consolidating its role in achieving the global goal of protecting 30% of the planet through MPAs.
This commitment reflects a science-based approach and reinforces the Archipelago's pioneering role in the protection and sustainable management of the ocean.
MPAs IN THE AZORES
CURRENT SITUATION
63
MPAs
34
COASTAL
Integrated in the
Island Natural Parks
29
OCEANIC
Integrated in the
Azores Marine Park
30%
Of the Azores sea
is protected
287
thousand km²
RAMPA significantly increases the percentage of protection in the national EEZ. However, these MPAs have not yet been effectively implemented and managed.
CURRENT LEGISLATION
On 1 January 2026, RAMPA entered into force. The new Azores Marine Park includes new Oceanic Marine Protected Areas that protect 30% of the Azores' sea, with around half of this area completely closed to any extractive activity. This legislation also provides the legal framework and deadlines for the implementation and management of the network.
The Coastal Marine Protected Areas are now integrated into RAMPA, while remaining, until their revision, under the current legal framework of the Island Natural Parks.
