Portugal reaches 30X30

Portugal appears to be reaching the 30X30 target by 2026, with the announcement of a new Marine Protected Area covering 200,000 km2, which will include Cape St. Vincent and the Madeira archipelago.

The necessary legal and technical procedures were announced by joint ministerial decision on October 27 and will be completed within two months, followed by a public consultation period. The goal is to complete and establish the new MPA by 2026.

With the completion of 30X30, the government announced its intention to proceed with10% of strict protection.

At the same time, government representatives point out that the protective regime has both  environmental and social benefits, as it is expected to boost quality tourism.

These moves are in line with the European Biodiversity Strategy, the Kunming Montreal Biodiversity Framework, and the Global Oceans Treaty , frmeworks that Greece is also subect to. These international commitments reflect the critical importance of protecting at least 30% of the sea, which will allow ecosystems to stabilize and threatened populations to recover. As in Portugal, steps towards establishing MPAs in Greece are welcome, but must be completed fast, with qualitaty ecosystem criteria and provisions for their proper operation and protection.