Regional Directorate for Maritime Policies






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Azores Marine Park (PMA) / Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas (RAMPA)

Regional Legislative
Decree No º 28/2011/A of 11 November 2011, which structures the Azores Marine Park (PMA), was amended by Regional Legislative Decree No º 13/2016/A of 19 July 2016 and by Regional Legislative Decree No º 14/2024/A of 24 December 2024, which defined the legal regime applicable to the Regional Network of Marine Protected Areas of the Azores (RAMPA), as amended.

Pursuant to Articles 75.º to 82.º, in the oceanic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) classified up to the outer limit (200 nautical miles from the baselines) of the Azores sub-area of the Portuguese Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), certain uses and activities are prohibited or conditioned (subject to authorisation):

  • For applications for authorisation for restricted commercial fishing and tourism fishing activities in the AMP/RAMPA, submit the form available here. 
  • For applications for authorisation for most uses and restricted activities (except commercial fishing and tourism fishing) in the AMP/RAMPA, submit the form available here. 


See on the map (click on the image to open) the oceanic MPAs that are part of the AMP/RAMPA.
See also the list of areas in the table below.


 

Oceanic MPAs up to the outer limit of the Azores sub-area of the Portuguese EEZ

Code Designation Level of protection Total area (ha)

PMA02

 Menez Gwen Hydrothermal Field Marine Nature Reserve Total 26.448
PMA03 Lucky Strike Hydrothermal Field Marine Nature Reserve Total 30.052
PMA11 the Natural Marine Reserve of Banco D. João de Castro Total 34.601
WFP12a Marine Protected Area for the management of Meteor habitats and species Alta 1.443.778
WFP13a Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species Azores Southwest Alta 1.184.409
WFP14 the Condor Bank Marine Nature Reserve Total 24.197
PMA15 Princess Alice Bank Marine Nature Reserve Total 36.971
PMA16 the Azores North Marine Nature Reserve Total 15.341.450
PMA17 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species Azores Nordeste Alta 244.498
PMA18 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species Azores East Alta 1.598.791
WFP19 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species Azores South Alta 2.355.464
PMA20 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species Azores West Alta 3.828.927
PMA21 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species Alberto do Monaco Alta 150.425
PMA22 the Cachalote Marine Nature Reserve Total 21.624
PMA23 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species of Bugio Norte Alta 9.912
PMA24 Diogo de Teive Marine Nature Reserve Total 76.129
PMA25 Marine Protected Area for the management of Giant habitats and species Alta 676.580
PMA26 Marine Protected Area for the management of Oscar habitats and species Alta 36.242
PMA27 Marine Protected Area for the management of Flyer habitats and species Alta 39.419
PMA28 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species of Southwest Peak Alta 20.827
WFP29 Marine Protected Area for the management of Trident habitats and species Alta 1.512.854
PMA30 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species of the South Silver Sea Alta 16.276
PMA31 Marine Nature Reserve of the Ant Islets Total 56.423

 

Oceanic MPAs located on the continental shelf beyond the outer limit of the Azores sub-area of the Portuguese EEZ

Code Designation Level of protection Total area (ha)
PMA04 Rainbow Hydrothermal Field Marine Nature Reserve N.A. 2.215
PMA08 Marine Protected Area for the management of Altair Seamount habitats and species N.A. 438.090
PMA09 Marine Protected Area for the management of habitats and species of the Antialtair Seamount N.A. 280.588
PMA10 Marine Protected Area for the management of MARNA habitats and species N.A. 9.353.799
PMA12 Marine Protected Area for the management of resources of the Meteor Submarine Archipelago N.A. 10.882.332
WFP13 Marine Protected Area for the management of resources of the perimeter of protection and management of resources located southwest of the Azores N.A. 216.214