Gorringe Bank: New Marine Protected Area and Next Steps
Portugal has announced a new Marine Protected Area at Gorringe Bank, raising the share of protected national waters from 19% to at least 27%.
During the 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, Portugal’s Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, announced a new large-scale Marine Protected Area (MPA) at Gorringe Bank, roughly 200 km southwest of mainland Portugal, raising the share of protected waters in Portugal from 19% to at least 27%.
Location and significance
Gorringe Bank is located roughly 160 to 180 km southwest of Cabo de São Vicente, and includes the tallest seamount in Western Europe, with peaks at around 30 metres depth and adjacent seabed exceeding 5,000 metres. It is a highly biodiverse ecosystem, with cold-water corals, sponges, pelagic fish and vulnerable habitats.
- Publication of the official designation decree, setting geographic boundaries and protection levels
- Preparation of a Management Plan coordinated with the National Network of Marine Protected Areas
- Submission of technical details to the Natura 2000 Network and the OSPAR Convention