Marine Natural Park of Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado

What is a Marine Protected Area (MPA)?

A Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a maritime space with defined geographic boundaries and a legal protection status. These areas aim primarily to conserve marine biodiversity, protect fragile ecosystems, and promote sustainable activities.

In the case of the Algarve, the goal is to preserve unique habitats, cultural values, and activities that are essential for local marine life and for the communities that depend on them.

Minke whale (*Balaenoptera acutorostrata*)

AIMM’s role in the creation of the Marine Natural Park of Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado

Since 2010, AIMM – Associação para a Investigação do Meio Marinho (Association for Marine Environment Research) has been working to strengthen marine science in Portugal, collecting data on marine megafauna (cetaceans, turtles, and large fish) and supporting the management and conservation of coastal ecosystems.

Within the context of the project to create the Marine Natural Park of Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado, AIMM has played a key role by:

Contributing scientific data: AIMM provided records of more than 6,200 sightings of marine megafauna along the southern coast, over 10% of which occurred within the proposed MPA area — including priority species such as the bottlenose dolphin and the fin whale.
Supporting the decision-making process: This information underpinned the political and legal decision to establish protection and served as a scientific foundation for the classification of the new protected area.
Current management role: Today, AIMM dedicates human resources to disseminating, monitoring, and communicating the MPA’s management measures, and continues to develop best practices for cetacean and marine species observation, as well as producing scientific monitoring data.

Smooth-hammerhead shark (*Sphyrna zygaena*)

Key milestones in the creation of the Marine Natural Park of Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado

Here is a detailed timeline of the creation of the Marine Natural Park of Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado:

DATE	PROCESS STAGE
Late 2018	Start of the participatory process led by Oceano Azul Foundation, CCMAR, the Municipality of Silves, the Armação de Pêra Fishermen’s Association, and the Armação de Pêra Parish Council, involving local authorities, fishermen, businesses, communities, and NGOs.
2019 to 2021	Seven public sessions were held, over 60 bilateral meetings, and a broad public consultation process.
May 2021	Official submission of the proposal to the Government.
November 2023	Approval of the Park’s creation by the Council of Ministers.
January 2024	Publication of Resolution No. 1/2024 in the Diário da República, formally establishing the MPA with an area of approximately 156 km².
August 2024	Publication of Order No. 8818-A/2024, creating compensation mechanisms for affected commercial fisheries.
October 2025	From October 2 to 7, the first scientific monitoring expedition was carried out, with AIMM supporting cetacean monitoring throughout the campaign.

Unique richness of the Algarve Reef

70% of Algarve’s marine biodiversity
45 new species for Portugal
Approximately 900 known species
19 species under conservation status
12 new species for science

Scientific monitoring Expedition of the Marine Natural Park of Algarve Reef – Pedra do Valado

Between October 2 and 7, AIMM participated in the first scientific monitoring campaign of the new MPA, coordinated by Oceano Azul Foundation and CCMAR, with the collaboration of several other institutions.

During this mission, AIMM:

Deployed its scientific team aboard the research ship Santa Maria Manuela and provided its own research vessel, Ketos, for the campaign;
Conducted intensive cetacean monitoring, updating databases and identifying key species relevant to management and conservation efforts;
Strengthened collaboration with other scientific organizations involved in the project.

A AIMM irá atualizar esta página com as últimas informações em relação a esta expedição e ao projeto de monitorização do Parque Natural Marinho do Recife do Algarve – Pedra do Valado.

STAY PUT!