The 200,000 km² area, managed with Madeira’s regional government, aims to preserve biodiversity, strengthen sustainable fishing, and boost the island’s blue economy through tourism, research, and environmental protection.

Portugal is set to reach its target of protecting 30% of national marine territory by 2026, currently four years ahead of the global goal, thanks to the planned creation of the Madeira-Tore and Gorringe Bank Marine Nature Reserve. The initiative highlights Madeira’s growing role in the country’s environmental and maritime strategy.

Spanning roughly 200,000 square kilometres between Cape St. Vincent and the Madeira archipelago, the new reserve will be one of the largest protected marine areas in Europe. Preparatory work, carried out jointly by the national government and the Regional Government of Madeira, should be finalised by December 2025, paving the way for formal designation the following year.

According to Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho, the reserve represents a major step toward ecological preservation and sustainable fishing. “These are true nurseries of marine life,” she said, noting that protection will help restore biodiversity while ensuring long-term fishing sustainability.

Beyond conservation, the project is expected to boost Madeira’s blue economy, expanding opportunities in nautical tourism, diving, and scientific research. The Secretary of State for Fisheries and the Sea, Salvador Malheiro, stressed that this investment in marine protection will strengthen Portugal’s maritime GDP, currently accounting for 5% of the national total.

Once the 30% target is reached, Portugal plans to increase the share of fully protected areas to 10%, though currently only 2–3% fall under that category.

Madeira’s inclusion in this initiative underscores its strategic maritime position and ecological value. As a hub between Europe and the Atlantic, the archipelago is set to play a leading role in Portugal’s commitment to ocean conservation, sustainable fisheries, and climate resilience, advancing the country’s vision of a cleaner, more sustainable Atlantic future.