Coral gardens, deep-water forests of brown algae and threatened rays are among the discoveries from a five-week scientific expedition in the waters around Madeira. The Madeira Ocean expedition surveyed marine habitats around Madeira, Porto Santo, the Desertas Islands and the Seine seamount, reaching depths of up to 1,000 metres.
Preliminary findings, presented on Wednesday, include dense coral gardens off Porto Santo, at sites known as Jardim de Ariel and Rocha de Sebastião, and brown algae forests between 80 and 100 metres deep. Researchers also recorded more than five ray species classified as vulnerable, threatened or endangered.
Scientific coordinator João Canning-Clode said, "The first results indicate that protection works," noting juvenile groupers both inside and outside marine protected areas. He also warned that very few sharks were seen and that several vulnerable ecosystems need conservation. The full scientific report is expected in early 2027.