BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
Portugal constructed Europe’s largest Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in the Azores, protecting an astonishing 287,000 square kilometers of water. These safeguards assist diverse ecosystems that support deep-sea corals, whales, manta rays, and sharks, sheltering them from damaging activities such as fishing and mining. “This is an achievement for the Azoreans,” said José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Azores Regional Government, who believes the project “inspires other regions” to act similarly for the planet’s future.
What are Marine Protected Areas (MPA)?
Marine Protected Areas are legally declared areas of the ocean or coastal regions where activities like fishing or drilling are limited or prohibited in order to conserve biodiversity. Well-enforced MPAs have been demonstrated to increase marine biodiversity, improve ecological health, and even stimulate local economies. By prohibiting or regulating damaging activities, the Azores’ new MPA network aims to restore carbon-sequestering ecosystems, boost fish stocks, and protect the region’s marine resources.
A collaborative effort for effective protection
Creating such a comprehensive security network required coordination among government officials, scientists, industrial actors, and local populations. According to Enric Sala, creator of National Geographic’s Pristine Seas, the scientific team “witnessed that the marine ecosystems of the Azores are some of the most diverse in the North Atlantic.” High-tech techniques such as underwater cameras assessed the region’s unique biodiversity, finding key areas for protection ranging from seamounts to hydrothermal vents.
Alan Friedlander, chief scientist at Pristine Seas, stated that the Azores’ location and various ecosystems support unique biological populations with significant conservation significance. Friedlander said that protecting these habitats will benefit both local livelihoods and global marine health.
Progress and the 30×30 mission
The Azores project brings Europe closer to the UN’s ambitious 30×30 target, which seeks to safeguard 30 percent of the planet’s land and oceans by 2030. Approximately eight percent of the world’s oceans are currently protected, with less than three percent obtaining high-level protection. Over the last decade, the European Union has already doubled its protected ocean regions, reaching 12 percent coverage, with additional efforts required to reach 30 percent.
The UN estimates that by 2030, approximately 190,000 small MPAs and 300 large offshore MPAs will be required to meet the 30×30 objective. “It’s important we protect the right 30 percent to maximize biodiversity, climate stability, and food supply,” Sala added, emphasizing the importance of focusing on high-value ecosystems for effective conservation.
A model for future MPAs
The Azores’ MPA network serves as a model for other places looking to safeguard marine biodiversity while also boosting local economies. Using research-based insights, the Azores developed protections that balance conservation demands with community interests, ensuring both ecological and economic advantages. Moving forward, similar solutions could usher in a new era of targeted ocean conservation, effectively combining ecological preservation with community viability.
With continuing efforts and worldwide collaboration, large-scale MPA networks like the Azores may make significant progress toward 30×30, ensuring a sustainable future for ocean ecosystems and communities.
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