Selvagens is a little studied place, especially in the open waters and deep sea surrounding the islands. The results of the expedition are being used to recommend to the Portuguese Government the expansion of the current marine protected area around the Selvagens, which covers only the waters down to 200 meters’ depth. The main recommendations were centred on increasing the effectiveness of the surveillance in the islands and expanding the marine reserve. Later in 2016 the Portuguese government established a permanent outpost of the maritime police in the islands. Currently, National Geographic and the Oceano Azul Foundation are lobbying to increase the current marine reserve around the Selvagens.
There is an opportunity to increase the percentage coverage of MPAs in Portuguese waters due to the remoteness of this archipelago and the excellent condition of the coastal habitats around the islands. The open waters are important corridors for marine megafauna moving through the eastern Atlantic. The deep sea contains important nursery habitats and deep water corals. Extending the current marine reserve to enclose these ecosystems will provide significant protection to many species and habitats.
The Foundation and Oceanário are benefitting from being associated with this expedition since they will be able to use the film for educational purposes at the Oceanário and in the Foundation’s website and will also be able to influence the political process of expanding the current marine reserve.
This project started in September 2016 and lobbying for the increase of this MPA will continue in 2017. No funds were allocated to this project.
Негізгі бет Ilhas Selvagens Expedition | National Geographic - Pristine Seas
Пікірлер: 1