The Azores were internationally recognized as a global model for marine protection at the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held this week in Nice, France.
Recognized as a pioneering model in marine conservation, the Azores offer a powerful real-world example of how science-based ocean protection can align with local economic development and global biodiversity goals.
Experts from around the world also praised the Azores as a blueprint for balancing environmental stewardship and sustainable development.
“The Azores are not only protecting biodiversity — we are proving that MPAs can work for nature and people,” José Manuel Bolieiro, President of the Regional Government of the Azores, said at the conference.
The centerpiece of this success is the Azores Marine Protected Area (RAMPA), which spans 287,000 square kilometers, making it the largest protected marine network in the North Atlantic.
RAMPA safeguards vital deep-sea habitats, coral reefs, seamounts, and migratory corridors critical to whales, sharks, turtles, and rays. Half of the area is fully protected as no-take zones, while the remainder allows low-impact sustainable use.
MPAs like RAMPA are central to global efforts to reverse ocean degradation. As marine ecosystems face accelerating threats from warming, acidification, and overexploitation, the RAMPA network is already delivering results.
In designated no-take zones, fish populations have rebounded by up to 400%, and eco-tourism, particularly whale watching, now generates more than €80 million annually, replacing the region’s former whaling industry.
“Protection has made our waters more alive — and our communities stronger,” said Ana Costa, a whale-watching operator from Pico Island. “Tourists come for what we’ve preserved, not what we’ve exploited.”
Developed over six years through scientific research and more than 40 community consultations, RAMPA integrates rigorous conservation with local participation. A €10 million investment from the Blue Azores partnership, involving the regional government, Oceano Azul Foundation, Waitt Institute, and Blue Nature Alliance, is supporting enforcement, monitoring, and community engagement.
“MPAs are essential for halting biodiversity loss and ensuring food security,” said Tiago Pitta e Cunha, CEO of the Oceano Azul Foundation. “The Azores model proves that these goals are achievable — and beneficial — when communities lead the way,” he reiterated.
The success of RAMPA was a highlight of the UNOC, where world leaders underscored the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water, and progressing toward the 30×30 global target, protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Portugal further demonstrated its marine leadership by announcing a new Marine Protected Area of approximately 100,000 km² around the Gorringe Ridge, a deep-sea seamount located 200 km south of continental Portugal. The proposed MPA will prohibit destructive activities, protect coral forests, kelp beds, and support pelagic species such as tuna and sharks.
“This is what effective marine protection looks like,” said Enric Sala, National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. “The Azores are showing us how to do MPAs right — with science, enforcement, and community trust.”
Portugal’s commitment to ocean protection, including the Azores, was further reinforced with its recent announcement of a 100,000 km² Marine Protected Area around the Gorringe Ridge. Together, these efforts bring the nation closer to protecting over 27% of its marine territory, surpassing many global benchmarks.
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The Azores Establishes Largest Marine Protected Area Network in Europe – National Geographic
PAJ/Staff
About the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC)
Held in Nice, France, in June 2025, the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) convened heads of state, scientists, NGOs, and industry leaders to advance global commitments for ocean sustainability. Key themes included the ratification and implementation of the UN High Seas Treaty, scaling up Marine Protected Areas, strengthening ocean-based climate solutions, and achieving the 30×30 target to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.About Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
MPAs are designated sections of the ocean where human activity is managed to conserve biodiversity and marine ecosystems. These zones—ranging from fully protected no-take reserves to areas allowing sustainable use—act as refuges for marine life, promote fishery recovery, enhance carbon storage, and increase resilience to climate change. MPAs are a cornerstone of international strategies to halt marine biodiversity loss and ensure food security for future generations.
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