National and international scientific teams have begun a four-week expedition to study the waters around Madeira. The initiative, operating from the ship Santa Maria Manuela, aims to map little-known ecosystems and assess the condition of the region's protected marine areas.
The research covers the northern and southern parts of the island, the Desertas Islands, and Porto Santo. Supported by various organizations, including the Government of Madeira and the National Geographic Society, the expedition seeks to identify new ecologically important areas and establish a long-term monitoring program.
The scientific findings are expected to influence the expansion of Marine Protected Areas. The expedition concludes on October 28th with a preliminary results presentation, followed by a second phase next May focusing on deep-sea areas.
