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Conservation of Marine Protected Species in Mainland Portugal

Reference: LIFE09 NAT/PT/000038 | Acronym: MarPro

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

One of the main constraints to the enlargement of the Natura 2000 network to marine environments is the lack of research on marine habitats and species far from the coast. Few organisations or institutions have the necessary means to undertake such work. The designation of SCIs has thus been affected by the lack of relevant data on specific species such as cetaceans and seabirds.

An Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is an area stretching to 200 nautical miles from the coast, over which a state has special rights to marine resources. Portuguese EEZs include one of the highest abundances of common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Europe and are an important wintering ground for the Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus).

A total of 7 SCIs (55 400 ha) and 7 SACs (58 500 ha) have been created in the Portuguese coastal and marine environment. Nevertheless, political and logistical difficulties have led to a significant delay in drawing up further SCI proposals in costal and marine areas. The availability of specific information needed for the implementation of appropriate management measures for cetacean and seabird species is also quite low.


OBJECTIVES

The MarPro project aims to successfully implement the NATURA 2000 network for the target cetacean and seabird species and their habitats throughout the EEZ of mainland Portugal. It will reduce conflicts between fisheries and the target species in order to ensure compliance with the Habitats and Birds Directives.

The project will propose new Natura 2000 marine areas for Portugal. It will also develop management plans for the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), common bottlenose dolphin and Balearic shearwater.

MarPro will promote understanding between relevant authorities, scientists, fishermen, new marine industries (such as energy producers) and the general public in order to achieve consensus in the implementation of the marine Natura 2000 network. It will evaluate the complex interaction of open-sea fishing on the target species and implement good practice solutions concerning by-catch and fish depredation to improve sustainability.

The project will create cost-effective, sustainable and long-term surveillance and monitoring instruments for analysing and interpreting the evolution of the conservation status of the target species and their habitats.

Expected results:

  • Sustainable development of Portuguese fisheries with a reduced impact on target cetaceans and seabirds;
  • Implementation of SPAs and SCIs in Portuguese EEZs;
  • Proposals for new Natura 2000 offshore sites for Portugal;
  • Conservation/management plans for Phocoena phocoena, Tursiops truncatus and Puffinus mauretanicus.

  • ADMINISTRATIVE DATA


    Reference: LIFE09 NAT/PT/000038
    Acronym: MarPro
    Start Date: 01/01/2011
    End Date: 31/12/2017
    Total Eligible Budget: 2,773,032 €
    EU Contribution: 1,386,516 €

    CONTACT DETAILS


    Coordinating Beneficiary: Universidade de Aveiro
    Legal Status: PAT
    Address: Campus Universitrio de Santiago-, 3810-193, Aveiro,


    LIFE Project Map

    ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ADDRESSED

    THEMES

    • Birds
    • Marine
    • Mammals

    KEYWORDS

    • marine ecosystem
    • protected area

    SPECIES

    Name Version
    Phocoena phocoena - Mammals v.2024
    Puffinus mauretanicus - Birds v.2024
    Tursiops truncatus - Mammals v.2024

    PARTNERSHIPS

    Name Status Type
     Universidade de Aveiro ACTIVE Coordinator
     IPIMAR, Portugal ACTIVE Participant
     Universidade do Minho/CBMA, Portugal ACTIVE Participant
     SPEA, Portugal ACTIVE Participant
     ICNB, Portugal ACTIVE Participant

    READ MORE

    Type Resource
     Project web site Project's website
     Poster "AVES Marinhas - Cetáceos" (5.53 MB)
     Publication "LIFE+ MARPRO: Conservação de espécies marinhas protegidas em Portugal continental: Dossier Pedagógico" (2.96 MB)
     Publication "Código de Boas Práticas: Código de boas práticas para a mitigação de interações das pescarias portuguesas com cetáceos e aves marinhas" (19 MB)
     Video link "Documentrio LIFE+ MarPro: Um Mar a Proteger" (26') (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG8N0brmxk0)
     Video link "Documentrio LIFE+ MarPro: reas Marinhas Protegidas" (3') (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x7wdiC8w5Y)
     Project web site - 2 Project's Facebook page
     Project web site - 2 Project's Twitter page