Portugal Creates 38,000-Square-Mile Marine Reserve to Safeguard More Than 850 Species in Submarine Mountain Area
Protecting our oceans has become increasingly essential. While individuals and organizations can take various actions to contribute, the most significant and impactful initiatives often originate from government actions. This highlights the importance and influence of Portugal’s recent establishment of a 38,000-square-mile sanctuary.
The newly designated marine protected area (MPA) encompasses Gorringe Ridge, which is home to 850 marine species. Gorringe Ridge ranks as the tallest seamount—a large underwater volcanic mountain—in Western Europe, recognized for its rich biodiversity. Notable residents include “soft corals,” or gorgonians, and deep-sea sponges, which inhabit the 1,100 reefs scattered throughout the ridge. It lies approximately 155 miles from the shores of Cape St. Vincent, the southwest extremity of Portugal and the European mainland.
With this MPA’s establishment, Portugal has boosted its percentage of protected territorial waters—regions within a nation’s jurisdiction identified as safeguarded marine ecosystems—from 19% to 27%.
“In terms of marine protection, we are the most advanced country globally, with our characteristics uniting continental and insular territories,” states Portugal’s environment minister Maria da Graca Carvalho. “We are certainly the front-runners in Europe.”
The announcement of this area was made by Carvalho at the third U.N. Oceans Conference held in Nice, France. During this summit, countries convened to explore and deliberate actions aimed at safeguarding ocean life both within and beyond their jurisdictions. This aligns with the goal of persuading more nations to ratify the 2023 High Seas Treaty, which seeks to protect marine biological diversity in international waters. Currently, 51 nations have signed on, with nine additional countries needed for it to become enacted.
“A large-scale MPA like this, if fully safeguarded, will effectively connect seamounts, abyssal plains, and open ocean, providing a refuge for highly mobile and migratory species, along with deep-sea habitats,” explains Emanuel Gonçalves, chief scientist at Oceano Azul Foundation. He proposed the expansive size of the newly protected area to the government after assisting in mapping it. “It will serve as a vital breeding ground and feeding area for turtles, sharks, marine mammals, seabirds, and tunas, help expand or rejuvenate kelp and coral forests, and create a sanctuary for the distinctive breeding congregation of torpedo rays.”
This initiative is also a product of the efforts from the international advocacy organization Oceana, which has been advocating for Gorringe Ridge’s protection since their exploration in 2012. “The seamounts host numerous pelagic species, such as whales, dolphins, and swordfish,” Oceana stated at the time. “The summits are adorned with algal forests, particularly kelp. Large schools of amberjack, horse mackerel, and barracuda gather above the highest peaks, while the detritic bottoms, rich in the remains of coral, bryozoans, and mollusks, are home to dragon fish, fan corals, pink frogmouths, and bird’s nest sponges.”
Final confirmation for the marine protected area is still awaited, along with specific details, such as whether it will be entirely protected or if some fishing activities will be permitted. Regardless, its establishment marks a significant milestone in conservation within one of the ocean’s most diverse regions and will hopefully encourage other nations to take similar actions.
Sources: Portugal leads marine protection with new designated area; Seamount at Brittanica; The Seamounts of the Gorringe Bank; Portugal Announces New 38,000 Sq. Mile Protected Area Around ‘Stunning’ Underwater Mountains
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