The research vessel “Mário Ruivo”, from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere (IPMA), is carrying out the first oceanographic mission dedicated to Oceanic Marine Protected Areas in the Madeira marine subregion, it was announced on Tuesday.
The mission, announced by IPMA in a statement on Tuesday, is being carried out in the Madeira-Tore Geological Complex (CMT), “with the aim of implementing the National Network of Marine Protected Areas, in a project financed by the Blue Fund for approximately 2.5 million euros and also involving the General Directorate of Natural Resources, Security and Maritime Services (DGRM)”.
“This multidisciplinary research campaign is crucial to gather the information needed to characterise the biodiversity and habitats on the seamounts of the Madeira-Tore Geological Complex (CMT) and the adjacent seamounts, namely Ampère and Coral Patch, as well as Mount Gorringe,” IPMA highlights.
The mission aims to identify “new areas of high interest for the conservation of biodiversity in the region and constitute the scientific basis to support the planning and management of current and future classified areas.”
Considering Portugal’s international commitment to establish a National Network of Marine Protected Areas by 2030 representing 30% of the national maritime space, The “AMP Oceânicas” campaign is “an important step that reiterates the national commitment.”
After a stopover in Funchal on Tuesday, The first phase of the oceanographic vessel’s mission will end on August 11 in Lisbon.and the second stage is expected to take place in the first half of 2025, depending on meteooceanographic conditions.
IPMA also highlights that, for the first time, researchers from all the Associated Laboratories of the Sea Area are collaborating in the mission, namely the Interdisciplinary Centre for Marine and Environmental Research of the University of Porto (CIIMAR), the Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies of the University of Aveiro (CESAM), the Centre for Marine Sciences of the University of Algarve (CCMAR) and the Centre for Marine and Environmental Sciences (MARE), with eight higher education centres (Coimbra, Leiria, Lisbon, Évora and Wood).
The Regional Directorate for Maritime Policy of Madeira and ARDITI – Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation of Madeira are also collaborating on this project.
Source: Observadora
