Marine Natural Park of Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado

Aim

To implement a new Marine Protected Area in mainland Portugal, in one of its most touristic coastal areas, which attracts almost 1 million visitors. To create a truly grassroots and community-based process, supported by science, and designed to protect an extraordinary and endangered biodiversity hotspot – Portugal’s largest coastal rocky reef, and the economic activities that depend on it.

Accomplishments:

• – An unprecedented participatory process;
• – More than 70 entities involved;
• – 7 general meetings + 60 bilateral meetings with stakeholders;
• – 3 technical studies: scientific, socio-economic, and legal;
• – 129 teachers trained in ocean literacy, reaching more than 2.600 elementary school students in the involved municipalities;
• – Public consultation with over 150 comments and 86 documents submitted;
• – 156 km2 of Marine Protected Area: 20.5 km2 fully protected, 4 km2 of which are totally off-limits to users.

This bottom-up approach is an effective mechanism for community-lead change that can be scaled and replicated to promote, protect, and value the ocean’s natural capital.

Studies by the Centre of Marine Sciences of the University of the Algarve (CCMAR/UAlg) from the past 20 years identify this reef as one of the most rich and productive areas of the region, with many species of commercial interest and for conservation.

However, this reef is subject to significant pressures from fishing and tourism, putting the conservation of the natural values of this important marine ecosystem at risk. Subsequently, also negatively affecting traditional economic activities that depend on these natural values.

Having been alarmed by local authorities on the need to protect this reef as well as its small artisanal fisheries, Oceano Azul Foundation and the Centre of Marine Sciences of the University of the Algarve promoted and facilitated a unique participatory process in Portugal, with the involvement of the Municipalities of Albufeira, Lagoa, and Silves, in addition to dozens of local, regional, and national entities. This process occurred during a timeframe of almost 3 years and involved more than 70 entities, resulting in the creation of a Marine Protected Area of Community Interest in Algarve: Marine Natural Park of the Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado.

Partners

A partnership between CCMAR – University of the Algarve together with Albufeira, Lagoa and Silves’ municipalities, and involving more than 70 stakeholders.