A new protected area will soon help in assuring the best conditions for the protection of marine species, namely cetaceans, but also monk seals and ocean turtles.
Entitles “Cetaceans”, it will be rapidly upgraded, as the expectations are that from the end of the year it will be part of the Natura 2000 network.
The aim of this new protected area is, obviously assure the protection of the marine species living around Madeira, Porto Santo and the Desertas, but also fulfil an EU determination that expects that in 2020 10 percent of member states’ EEZ should be protected areas.
The new protected area surround Madeira, Porto Santo and the Desertas, starting roughly one (sea) mile from the coast, and extending to the 10 miles limit, an area of almost 700 thousand hectares.
The effort to control and sustainable use of this huge area shoul be, as explained by Susana Prada, a joint effort of controlling entities (Instituto de Conservação da Natureza, GNR and the Portuguese Navy), but also those that use, namely the companies that promote short sea cruises around the archipelago.
