Launch of ” MPAS in 7 Tips” Guide

Today (15/10/2025), Sciaena launched a useful guide accessible to anyone interested in protecting our oceans, entitled ‘MPAS in 7 tips. This launch took place as part of a series of events at the European Parliament dedicated to Ocean Week, with the aim of presenting concrete examples of successful marine protected area (MPA) projects across the EU.

This guide aims to inspire and motivate civil society, and coastal communities in particular, to try to replicate the process that led to the creation of the most recent marine protected area in Portugal, the Algarve Marine Natural Park of the Recife do Algarve – Pedra do Valado.

The MPA is a successful story born from an unprecedented participatory process that engaged over 70 entities for nearly three years. It relied on solid scientific data and the valuable contributions of all involved parties.

Along the Algarve’s coastline between Albufeira and the Alfanzina Lighthouse, spanning the municipalities of Albufeira, Lagoa, and Silves, lies the largest shallow coastal rocky reef in mainland Portugal. Well known to local communities for its rich ecosystem, the reef offers unique conditions that support more than 900 species, 12 of them new to science, boosting both marine biodiversity and the area’s productivity.

The process began after local communities, particularly representatives of the local fishing sector, raised concerns about the need to protect the site. The involvement of the Centre for Marine Sciences, the Oceano Azul Foundation, fishing associations, the municipalities of Albufeira, Silves, and Lagoa, and the Parish Council of Armação de Pêra led to the launch of a participatory initiative to safeguard the reef.

From 2019 to 2021, this participatory process brought together professional and recreational fishing associations, representatives of maritime tourism companies, local, regional, and central authorities, scientific research centers, sports federations, the maritime authority, school groups, non-governmental organizations, and business associations. It included six in-person sessions, over 60 bilateral meetings, and a final session to present the proposed zoning and the foundations for the regulation of this new marine protected area.

For Sciaena, whose marine conservation work is built on interdisciplinarity, protecting and valuing natural capital requires considering the interests and needs of the communities that depend on it, always grounded in solid technical and scientific knowledge through inclusive participatory processes. The process that led to the creation of the Algarve Marine Natural Park – Pedra do Valado is an excellent example of this approach, in which Sciaena participated and contributed from the very beginning. It was a truly pioneering initiative, and we believe it will bring even more positive contributions to the future of ocean protection.

The future of ocean protection depends on giving a voice to local coastal communities, working in collaboration with all stakeholders, so that the shared vision for future MPAs is embraced by all. This requires including local interests and needs to ensure the existence and implementation of adequate management plans for these areas. A healthy ocean depends on informed and empowered communities. Only in this way can we ensure the sustainable use of marine resources and preserve the intrinsic value the ocean holds for all of us.