Formalized the creation of the Marine Nature Reserve King Dom Carlos

O Council of Ministers today formalized the creation of the Marine Nature Reserve King Dom Carlos, in the Southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, and approved a decree-law that concludes the conservation of the Special Conservation Zone Bank Gorringe.

In a statement, the Council of Ministers said that one of the approved decrees-laws formally created the King Dom Carlos Marine Nature Reserve, “one of the largest protected marine areas in the Northeast Atlantic, with about 173,000 square kilometers”, which protects the Madeira-Tore Complex.

The complex is located southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, between the Cape of São Vicente (Faro district) and the archipelago of Madeira, consisting of the Bank Gorringe, a large submarine hill located southwest of the Cape of São Vicente, about 200 kilometres from the Portuguese continental territory.

“ The new reserve protects the Madeira-Tore complex and unique deep sea habitats, including corals of cold waters, coral gardens, sponges and endangered species”, according to the note.

The creation of the Marine Nature Reserve Dom Carlos, which will be the largest Protected Marine Area in Portugal by covering the complex of the Madeira-Tore and Banco de Gorringe submarines, was in public consultation until March.

The Council of Ministers also says that the diploma guarantees the reconciliation of biodiversity conservation with traditional sustainable fisheries and brings Portugal closer to the goal of protecting 30% of its maritime space by 2028.

The other decree approved is related to the Special Conservation Zone Banco Gorringe, an area exclusively marine with about 22.9 thousand square kilometers.

The diploma sets out the specific conservation and management objectives and measures of the area to protect habitats and species of high natural value, ensuring compliance with the Habitats Directive.

The Habitats Directive aims to contribute to the conservation of natural habitats considered to be threatened in the territory of the European Union.

According to the statement, the diploma reinforces the protection of Banco Gorringe, in conjunction with the creation of the Marine Nature Reserve King Dom Carlos.