Madeira-Tore and Gorringe Bank Marine Reserve: Portugal’s Landmark Ocean Conservation Effort

Excerpt from madinfo.pt

In 2025, Portugal unveiled a monumental step forward in marine conservation with the creation of the Madeira-Tore and Gorringe Bank Marine Reserve. Covering nearly 200,000 square kilometers, this expansive marine protected area (MPA) ranks as the largest in Europe and significantly advances Portugal’s commitment to safeguard its ocean ecosystems.

Situated in the North-East Atlantic, this marine reserve stretches from the Algarve coast near Cape St. Vincent to the Madeira archipelago, encompassing ecologically rich seamounts, deep ocean ridges, and diverse marine habitats. This initiative represents a critical milestone toward Portugal’s ambitious goal of protecting 30% of its marine waters by 2026, well in advance of the global 2030 biodiversity targets.