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The Archipelago of the Azores, located in the mid-North Atlantic, including the distribution of bathymetries and the current marine protected areas included in the Island Natural Parks and the Azorean Marine Park. The map also shows the limits of the Azorean Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the no-trawl area imposed by EU regulations (CE reg. 1568/2005). Graphics: R. Medeiros ©ImagDOP.
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In the Archipelago of the Azores, over 110,000 km² of marine areas presently benefit from some form of protection, including a suite of coastal habitats, offshore areas, seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and large parcels of mid-ocean ridge. These areas are integrated in the recently established network of marine protected areas (MPAs), which stands a...
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Citations
... One of the most powerful instruments for the conservation of marine areas is the creation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), some of which are regulated in regions with seamounts (e.g., (Abecasis et al., 2015;de la Torriente et al., 2019). However, for the success of their implementation, it requires the reinforcement of patrolling of Economic Exclusive Zones (EEZs) to assure compliance with regulations. ...
... As potential Responses (Measures) to attain problems related to (over)fishing, we suggested the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) since some of them have already been regulated in regions with seamounts and demonstrated positive outcomes (Abecasis et al., 2015;de la Torriente et al., 2019). However, the successful implementation of MPAs requires reinforcing the patrolling of Economic Exclusive Zones (EEZs) to ensure compliance with regulations. ...
A R T I C L E I N F O Keywords: PRISMA Systematic review DPSIR DAPSI(W)R(M) Management Deep-sea Mining Climate change Fisheries A B S T R A C T Seamounts are submerged marine mountains across the world's oceans at complex geological and hydrodynamic sites, hosting significant biodiversity and economically important species. However, their inaccessibility impairs long-term surveys and subsequent knowledge of their biodiversity and dynamics. Among the available tools to support decision-management of ecosystems with such characteristics (e.g., ecological models; frameworks), we hereby conduct a systematic review of ecological models available for seamounts. Furthermore, we apply an adapted DPSIR framework (DAPSI(W)R(M)) to understand current and emergent pressures, the state of the system, and its impacts. Following this approach, we discuss the suitability and limitations of ecological models to support seamounts management plans under the current state and emergent challenges. Results show that the number of ecological models applied to seamounts has been increasing since 2009, focusing on Phylum Chordata (mostly fishes), and are mostly species distribution and habitat suitability models (40.3% and 23.6%, respectively). While acknowledging the importance of these studies, we have identified that existing models do not entirely suit the emergent challenges of seamounts, especially deep-sea mining and climate change. To cope with this, we propose that future seamount models should account for: i) other Phyla and species relevant for seamount ecology, ii) describe the effects of isolated and combined interactions of stressors over time and space, and iii) present the uncertainty associated with results. Such a framework can be achieved through model ensemble approaches that can fully assess the extent and magnitude of present and future pressures and associated effects. Finally, as most of the seamount distribution is in areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the current legislation of these areas is scarce, it is urgent to formulate regulatory frameworks to support holistic management actions in seamounts and promote ethical and environmentally responsible practices for sustainable use of ecosystem services and maintain a healthy functioning of these ecosystems.
... The Azores archipelago, well known for its biodiversity attributed to its remote, temperate-tropical transition location, exemplifies the importance of MPAs (Abecasis et al., 2015;Santos et al., 1995;Silva, 2013). Notably mentioned are cold-water corals, including 18 identified species of black corals (Antipatharians), colonial cnidarians with organic skeletons, some of which form dense stands in shallow waters (Braga-Henriques et al., 2013;de Matos et al., 2014;Tempera et al., 2013Tempera et al., , 2021. ...
The worldwide implementation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) has been used as a conservation measure to preserve marine biodiversity. Due to technological limitations, many early designated MPAs often neglected the distribution of marine habitats. Marine remote-sensing techniques development represents an opportunity to reshape and rethink MPA designs. This study focuses on the Vila Franca do Campo MPA (established in 1983) on São Miguel Island, Azores, using advanced acoustic remote-sensing techniques (MBES, SSS). Mapping of approximately 394 ha revealed a 1-3 ratio between rock and sediment habitats within the MPA, while the adjacent unprotected area showed a ratio of less than 1-2, with significant black coral gardens observed below 40 m depth. According to these results and the ecological importance of the organisms detected, we recommend remodeling the MPA. Furthermore, identifying readily accessible black coral communities provides an opportunity for comprehensive assessments of their contribution to marine biodiversity and conservation resources.
Keywords: Azores, Black Coral, Macaronesia, Marine Conservation, Habitat mapping, Hydroacoustics.
Highlights: 1) Remote sensing tools such as MBES, SSS allow the creation of accurate habitat maps. | 2) Shallower black coral gardens were identified beyond the MPA boundaries. | 3) Habitats discovered are of global conservation concern and suggest MPA restructuring. | 4) Several MPAs have deficient ecological assessments due to lack of ecosystem approach.
... This study was conducted in three different areas of São Miguel Island: two on the north coast (Ponta do Cintrão and Fenais da Ajuda) and one on the south coast (Vila Franca do Campo). Out of these three areas, Ponta do Cintrão and Vila Franca do Campo fall within the network of MPAs in São Miguel (GAMPA 2015; Abecasis et al. 2015) (Fig. 1b). ...
... The lack of evident differences between the areas within MPAs and contiguous not protected areas may suggest the limited effectiveness of these areas in São Miguel. In the Azores, although over 110,000 km 2 of marine areas presently benefit from some form of protection since the 1990s, its success is dependent upon the implementation of management plans, appropriate enforcement, and monitoring (Abecasis et al. 2015;Afonso et al. 2018). Additionally, its compliance and enforcement have been found to be inadequate (Abecasis et al. 2015;Diogo et al. 2016) and the positive effects are largely absent (Afonso et al. 2018;Torres et al. 2022). ...
... In the Azores, although over 110,000 km 2 of marine areas presently benefit from some form of protection since the 1990s, its success is dependent upon the implementation of management plans, appropriate enforcement, and monitoring (Abecasis et al. 2015;Afonso et al. 2018). Additionally, its compliance and enforcement have been found to be inadequate (Abecasis et al. 2015;Diogo et al. 2016) and the positive effects are largely absent (Afonso et al. 2018;Torres et al. 2022). Nevertheless, more studies are required to evaluate the effect of reserves. ...
Barnacles provide a unique substrate for a diverse array of species. This paper focuses on the epibionts inhabiting the giant
barnacle Megabalanus azoricus, exploring their diversity, interactions with host, and the ecological implications in bioen‑
gineering. This species is a valuable and vital socioeconomic resource, endemic of the Macaronesian region, and OSPAR
species, hence with some degree of international concern. Empty barnacles were collected in diferent locations on São
Miguel Island, Azores, at two depths (surface and 10 m): one in the south (Vila Franca do Campo) and two in the north
(Ponta do Cintrão and Fenais da Ajuda). Epibionts were identifed to the lowest possible taxonomic category and barnacle
height, base, and opening diameters were recorded. One hundred eighteen diferent taxa were observed, of which 30 were
algae, mainly red, and the most predominant were polychaetes, arthropods, and sipunculids, with a signifcant prevalence of
polychaetes and arthropods at the north. Arthropods and polychaetes were more abundant in the shallower samples, while
sipunculids were only found in the deeper ones. Only two barnacles did not present juveniles of M. azoricus on their walls,
with this species representing approximately 21% of all epibionts. The empty shells of M. azoricus are of key importance for
a high diversity and quantity of epibionts, especially when compared with other basibionts, and also vital for the establish‑
ment and recruitment of the younger barnacles. However, this may be impaired by its increasing socioeconomic importance
as a marine delicacy for locals and tourists, threatening its sustainability and ecological role within the coastal ecosystems.
... In the Azores, since the 1980s, the region's MPAs have grown from isolated spots to a network covering over 110,000 km 2 . This growth, partly driven by European Union initiatives, is vital for protecting the unique marine ecosystems of the Azores (see Abecasis et al., 2015). ...
Harvesting of intertidal gastropods can lead to a direct reduction in the biomass of targeted species through a reduction in the numbers and size of individuals, in turn leading to extensive changes to the structure of intertidal communities.
In the Azores, two patellid species co‐occur, and both are exploited for human consumption. However, one of these species, Patella aspera (Röding, 1798), is larger and has a greater economic value and is thus favoured in comparison to the smaller Patella candei (d'Orbigny, 1840).
This study investigates the effects of human exploitation on the interaction between these two species by comparing their densities and sizes within two areas of a marine protected area (MPA): a no‐entry area where human access is strictly prohibited and an adjacent area where human access is allowed and collection still occurs despite it being prohibited.
Patella aspera attained similar densities in the two areas, but individuals were much larger within the no‐entry MPA. In contrast, P. candei were more abundant in the adjacent area but were of a similar size as in the no‐entry MPA. Limpet biomass was much greater within the no‐entry MPA. The abundance (% cover) of upright macroalgae and barnacles as well as bare rock were also significantly reduced within the no‐entry MPA, where grazer‐resistant algal crusts cover was significantly greater.
This study highlights the influence of human activities and how these may affect the complex dynamics of biotic interactions with wider community‐level cascading effects.
... The archipelago is influenced by the Gulf Stream, which contributes to its temperate seawater temperatures and mild climate despite its relatively high latitude (Meirelles et al., 2022). The area hosts 55 ports (DGRM, 2019) as well as 79 marine conservation areas of regional, national and international significance (including the NATURA 2000 network sites; see review by Abecasis et al., 2015), where numerous international, national and regional conventions apply (Calado et al., 2021). ...
Non‐native species (NNS) might become invasive and threaten biodiversity, economy and public health. Therefore, it is essential that their invasiveness risk be quantified to support conservation measures.
The Azores, located in the mid‐northern Atlantic, is the crossroad of macroalgal native distributions and also present almost three times the global ratio of macroalgae reported as NNS.
Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit, a decision‐support tool consisting of 49 questions for the Basic Risk Assessment (BRA) and six for the Climate Change Assessment (CCA), was applied to the 42 marine macroalgae classified as NNS in the Azores.
The results indicate that 21 species pose a medium risk of becoming invasive, and 15 present a high risk under current climate conditions (BRA scores only). The combined BRA + CCA scores show that Laurencia dendroidea poses a high risk instead of a medium risk.
Thirty‐three Rhodophyta species were screened, with 10 (BRA) and 11 (BRA + CCA) classified as high risk. All four Chlorophyta species ranked as high risk. Only one of the five Ochrophyta species was classified as high risk, namely Rugulopteryx okamurae , one of the most invasive species in European waters.
High‐risk species are present in all islands, likely spread by the continuous maritime traffic between islands. Six of the high‐risk species are restricted to single islands (BRA and BRA + CCA scores), and efforts should be made to contain their further expansion. Asparagopsis armata , a species introduced in Europe in the 1920s, is the only high‐risk species present in all islands.
Conservation measures for prevention, monitoring and control of NNS are proposed for the different islands of the Azores, including regulation of introduction pathways, prospection of areas with high risk of invasion, risk screening, eradication and containment of NNS. The involvement of stakeholders and maritime workers is also recommended.
... In the Azores archipelago, the existing network of MPAs is of key importance and covers around 110,000 km 2 (1.12% of Azorean waters) of diverse habitats, including coastal habitats (Abecasis et al., 2015). The first MPAs were implemented in the 1980s as a tool for fisheries management and to achieve an overall good environmental status (GAMPA, 2015). ...
... A large portion of the Azorean population (85%) considers marine conservation a priority as their livelihoods and culture are closely related and rooted, in the marine environment (Ressurreicão et al., 2012). This has been crucial for establishing MPAs that have served as mitigating and regulatory tools for many economic activities that generate an impact and yet are essential for this region (fishing, tourism, shipping, aquaculture, or mineral extraction) (Abecasis et al., 2015). Regional policies and legislation have recently been developed to foster economic and social development while conserving the marine environment (Abecasis et al., 2015). ...
... This has been crucial for establishing MPAs that have served as mitigating and regulatory tools for many economic activities that generate an impact and yet are essential for this region (fishing, tourism, shipping, aquaculture, or mineral extraction) (Abecasis et al., 2015). Regional policies and legislation have recently been developed to foster economic and social development while conserving the marine environment (Abecasis et al., 2015). The involvement of the scientific community (Calado et al., 2011b;Abecasis et al., 2015), together with the views and interests of local stakeholders (Abecasis et al., 2013), were crucial when designing some MPAs. ...
There is a strong link between humans and the coastal zone, as it provides important services and resources. This paper aims to determine the existing environmental coastal research status in the Azores and Cabo Verde since research is essential for any decision support system. Some tools are fundamental to ensure the viability of the marine environments, such as Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), which rely on existing knowledge. Effective implementation of marine plans can increase by developing a multi-perspective knowledge approach. This paper presents a systematic review of the archipelagos of the Azores and Cabo Verde through a comparative meta-analysis of the literature based on the PRISMA report to better understand the focus and status of research related to coastal zones, within and outside MPAs, along with marine spatial planning and management in the two socio-economic contexts. This will help to identify common issues, trends over the years, successes, and challenges, highlighting the specific interests of each country, identifying the knowledge gaps, promoting mutual learning, and pointing out possible paths for future convergence toward sustainable use of the ecosystems and conservation goals. Differences were found between the research made in both archipelagos, lacking research on important disciplines (reproduction, behavior, population dynamics, climate change, etc.), in Cabo Verde, compared to the Azores. This study also reveals that some research fields still need to be pushed forward to have broader knowledge in both areas.
... Species that were once found in specific re-gions are moving to new areas in search of suitable conditions. This can lead to conflicts between different user groups, such as fisheries (Abecasis et al., 2015;Steneck, 2009;Teixeira, 2015). ...
... Azorean fishers also catch coastal fishes and crustaceans, and collect algae and invertebrates. Fisheries data in the Azores dates back to the 1970s (Fauconnet et al. 2019), leading to the implementation of technical measures for the management of fish stocks (Morato et al. 2010), and attempts to support recognition through ecological certifications (Abecasis et al. 2015). It is currently assumed that high selectivity of the gears used in the Azores assure sustainability (Fauconnet et al. 2019). ...
... Maritime tourism plays a key role and has registered growth since its beginning in the 1990s. Regional policies and legislation regulate and manage eleven sea-trips modalities (Regional Legislative Decree no.23/2007/A), promoting environmental conservation and education (Abecasis et al. 2015). Whale watching, the most successful modality, adds more than 80% of all sea-trips passengers (over 112,000 in 2017; source Regional Directorate for Tourism; Direção Regional dos Transportes 2017). ...
... The Macaronesian Archipelagos possess an important external dependence from continental Europe and other World areas (for fuel, food, raw material, machinery, etc.), making maritime transport a strategic sector (Table 4). Marine transport is key for the Azores economy, which like other remote islands depends on import and export activities (marine shipping) and passenger traffic (mainly inter-islands), being cargo movement the main activity in the ports of the Archipelago (Abecasis et al. 2015). As a result of the economic crisis, movements of cargo reached a minimum of 2,589 movements in 2014 (Carreira and Porteiro 2015). ...
The global economy is increasingly focusing on the Oceans to meet its needs, for which maritime spatial planning is being fostered to promote this is done sustainably. Thus, assessing the current state and future development trends of the maritime sectors is key to evaluating the performance of the planning process. This is the aim of this study, in which the main maritime sectors related to the blue economy present in the archipelagos of the European Macaronesia Sea Basin, i.e. the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain), were identified and studied. The following maritime sectors were analysed: fisheries, marine aquaculture, marine biotechnology, coastal and maritime tourism, maritime transport, ship repair and maintenance, extraction of aggregates, deep-sea mining, offshore oil and gas, renewable ocean energies, and desalination. As part of the PLASMAR project, partners undertook in 2017-19 a literature review gathering scientific papers, official statistics and reports, which were complemented by interviews with experts from the economic sectors and public administration departments. Results show that while some maritime sectors are well established, others are emerging sectors with varying long-term growth potential. Besides, development patterns vary across the archipelagos. This study represents the first effort in the Macaronesia Sea Basin to set the basis of the current and future development conditions of the blue economy in applicability to maritime spatial planning processes at a regional level. The future post-pandemic context will provide a unique opportunity to promote the blue economy sectors and activities through the support provided by the EU Green Deal and Recovery and Resilience Plans, as well as with the actions envisioned under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030). The European Macaronesia example-given its wide maritime territory, commitment, and capacities in terms of expertise and networking-presents a great potential to act as a good practice to extrapolate the new approach for a sustainable blue economy to other similar geographical settings such as island regions/states.
... One of these, MPA 10 -MARNA, is largely unexplored and therefore only the remaining 12 MPAs are considered in our study (Figure 1; Supplementary Table S1; UNEP-WCMC, 2022). Their resource-rich nature has incentivized commercial fishing, resulting in early signs of intensive exploitation in the 1980s, leading to, during the 2000s, investment in marine science (i.e., increased number of projects), monitoring of MPAs, and the implementation of protective measures for certain habitats (i.e., sponge aggregations, hydrothermal vent fields, and deep-sea coral gardens and reefs) and species (e.g., the long-lived and latematuring orange roughy Hoplostethus atlanticus; Abecasis et al., 2015). ...
Trait-based approaches that complement taxonomy-based studies have increased in popularity among the scientific community over the last decades. The collection of biological and ecological characteristics of species (i.e., traits) provides insight into species and ecosystem vulnerability to environmental and anthropogenic changes, as well as ecosystem functioning. Here, we present the FUN Azores trait database, describe our approach, evaluate its scope, compare it to other marine trait databases, and explore the spatial distribution of its traits with “functional maps.” While most of the available trait databases to date contain essential information to understand the functional diversity of a taxonomic or functional group, our ecosystem-based approach provides a comprehensive assessment of diverse fauna (i.e., meio-, macro-, and megafauna) from benthic and pelagic environments in the Azores Marine Park; including ridges, seamounts, hydrothermal vents, and the overlying water column. We used a collaborative approach involving 30 researchers with different expertise to develop the FUN Azores database, which contains compiled data on 14 traits representing morphological, behavioral, and life history characteristics for 1,210 species across 10 phyla. The “functional maps” show a distinct distribution of the two most common size classes, suggesting different communities with different functionalities. The following traits had the best scoring coverage (i.e., >95% of the species scored): maximum body size, body form, skeleton material, feeding structure, motility, environmental position, substratum affinity, distribution, and depth range; while traits related to species behavior (e.g., sociability or aggregation tendencies) and life history (e.g., developmental mechanism) had lower scoring coverage, highlighting the need for further research to fill these knowledge gaps. We found a larger number of species in the benthic compared to the pelagic environment and differing species composition between areas within the Azores Marine Park resulting from varying biodiversity, ecosystem types, sampling effort, and methodologies used. The FUN Azores database will foster and facilitate trait-based approaches in the area, develop a framework for expansion of cross-ecosystem and cross-taxa trait databases elsewhere, and improve our ecological understanding of the Azores Marine Park and its conservation requirements.
... In addition to the technical measures presented above, advice by ICES for total allowable catches (TACs) are provided for stocks such as blue jack mackerel, blackspot seabream, alfonsino, splendid alfonsino and thornback ray, which have been applied since the 2000s and recently were recommended by the regional government of the Azores for blackbelly rosefish, forkbeard, european conger, parrotfish, offshore rockfish, and common mora. A minimum landing size or weight was also implemented for some stocks (blackspot seabream, blackbelly rosefish, red porgy, european conger, alfonsino, splendid alfonsino, parrotfish, blacktail comber and thornback ray, which helps to avoid growth overfishing, as well as the creation of several marine protected areas (MPAs; Abecasis et al. 2015). Therefore, these eight stocks, considered as sustainable, could be candidates for a rebuilding effort, after the application of management measures in Azores' waters. ...
Small-scale fisheries play a critical role in food security and contribute to nearly half of reported global fish catches. However, the status of most small-scale fisheries stocks is still poor. In data-limited situations, length-based methods have been widely applied to estimate reference points and to understand stock status. This study applied three different length-based assessment methods (length-based indicators—LBI, length-based spawning potential ratio—LBSPR, and the length-based Bayesian biomass approach—LBB) to predict fisheries stock sustainability in the Azores. Overall, the three methods showed robustness for 15 out of 18 stocks assessed and agreed on their exploitation status. The results showed that 45% of the Azorean stocks were classified as sustainable stocks, 33% possible rebuilding/overfished and 22% overfishing/overfished stock status. Sensitivity analysis showed that biases on the source of initial life-history parameters, especially the asymptotic length (L∞) and the ratio of natural mortality and growth coefficient (M/k), have a stronger influence on the reference points of conservation of mature individuals (LBI), spawning potential ratio and fishing mortality (LBSPR) and the biomass relative to the maximum sustainable yield (LBB). Furthermore, sensitivity analysis indicated that, among the three methods, LBI is more robust. Our findings provide some management recommendations such as (1) catches and effort should be reduced; (2) minimum landing size should be increased; (3) minimum hook size should be increased, to be applied mainly for those stocks classified as possible rebuilding/overfished and overfishing/overfished stock status.
Graphical abstract
