ATLANTIC 2 – The Azores Graciosa Island - Portugal

PILOT LEAD PARTNER:

An autonomous region of Portugal located in the north Atlantic and composed of nine islands and a rich diversity of habitats.

Azores Marine Park and the Coastal Marine Protected Areas (integrated in the 9 different Islands Parks) established.

Key sectors covered: Renewables and mineral extraction.

– The Blue Azores Project is establishing the knowledge for further enlargement of MPAs

– The new knowledge and tools produced in the MSP4BIO will be of immediate use to planners.

– No comprehensive marine and coastal planning established – no MSP for the Azores approved yet.

– Currently no strategy to enlarge the MPA network from 15% (Blue Azores goal) to 30% (EU goal) and no strategy for “fully protected areas”.

– Knowledge gaps still existing to be further addressed for both offshore areas and coastal areas.

– DSTs used and the MPA prioritization the test area is considered to be the TRL 2-3.

– Enlarge the Azores Marine Protected Areas Network from 15% to 30%;

– Ensure coherence/integration with MSP.

– Build capacity and regain confidence from stakeholders for MPAs implementation.

– Methodological replication to other archipelagos is expected.

– Raise TRL to 4- 5 in the course of the MSP4BIO.

Regional government, Municipality, MPA managers, Maritime surveillance, environmental NGOs, fishery, diving and tourism associations.