Researchers from MARE CIÊNCIAS participate in studies for the Cascais–Mafra–Sintra Marine Protected Area.

Vera Sequeira

Ecology•5 March, 2026

Researchers from MARE at CIÊNCIAS are participating in scientific studies for the creation of the Cascais–Mafra–Sintra Marine Protected Area of Community Interest.

On March 4th, a protocol was signed to initiate the scientific studies that will support the proposal to create the Cascais–Mafra–Sintra Marine Protected Area of Community Interest (AMPIC).

Researchers from MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (CIÊNCIAS) are part of the scientific teams responsible for this work.

The signing ceremony took place in Ericeira, in the municipality of Mafra, and brought together representatives from the Government, the municipalities of Cascais, Mafra and Sintra, the Oceano Azul Foundation and the scientific institutions involved in the project. The initiative is funded by the Environmental Fund, which provides the necessary resources for carrying out the scientific studies that will support the proposal to create the conservation unit.

Among the MARE researchers at CIÊNCIAS involved in the scientific campaigns are Bernardo Quintella and Ana Filipa Silva, who participate in data collection in the field and the characterization of marine biodiversity along the coast of the three municipalities.

The signing of the protocol that initiates the scientific studies that will support the proposal to create the Cascais–Mafra–Sintra Marine Protected Area of Community Interest (AMPIC) took place on March 4th in Ericeira.

According to Bernardo Duarte, coordinator of MARE-ULisboa, participation in this project reinforces the connection between research developed at CIÊNCIAS and the challenges of ocean conservation in the region:

“This project is very important for MARE-ULisboa because it strengthens collaboration with the municipalities in the metropolitan region where we are located and increases the visibility of our work in the conservation and monitoring of the marine environment."

According to Bernardo Quintella, the newly initiated studies will deepen scientific knowledge about the ecosystems of this coastline: “The work involves very different methodologies, from scientific diving to underwater video systems and bathymetric surveys. It would be impossible for a single team to carry out all this work in such a short time.”

Ana Filipa Silva, Bernardo Quintella, Cristina Máguas, Teresa Sales e Bernardo Duarte, na Ericeira.

Scientific work continues the research initiated in 2022 during the Cascais | Mafra | Sintra Blue Ocean scientific expedition, carried out along this coastal strip. For about ten days, several research teams worked aboard the ship Santa Maria Manuela, collecting the first scientific data on the biodiversity and marine habitats of the region.

According to Cristina Máguas, Vice-Dean - Research & Innovation, Internationalisation and External Relations Area, the participation of MARE researchers in this project reflects the institution's accumulated experience in research on marine ecosystems:

“This marine reserve will be important for the country and for the goal of protecting 30% of the ocean by 2030. The knowledge that will be acquired is the result of our experience in various areas and will consolidate the work that MARE and CIÊNCIAS have been developing in this area for several decades.”

Teresa Sales, representing FCiências.ID – Associação para a Investigação e Desenvolvimento de Ciências, also highlights the association's role in supporting the research unit's participation in this project:

“In this case, it was a service provision, within the scope of a public tender, in which FCiências.ID provided support to the research unit to ensure that the conditions for participation in the project were met."

In the context of the international 30x30 target, which aims to protect at least 30% of the ocean by 2030, the studies now initiated will contribute to identifying habitats and species of high ecological value and support the definition of the future marine protected area based on scientific evidence.

During the protocol signing session, the minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, emphasized the role of science in this process: “Protecting the ocean requires solid scientific knowledge. Only with science can we identify the areas that should be protected and ensure sustainable management of our marine ecosystems.”

Researchers from MARE CIÊNCIAS participate in studies for the Cascais–Mafra–Sintra Marine Protected Area.

Researchers from MARE at CIÊNCIAS are participating in scientific studies for the creation of the Cascais–Mafra–Sintra Marine Protected Area of ​​Community Interest.

“This project is very important for MARE-ULisboa because it strengthens collaboration with the municipalities in the metropolitan region where we are located and increases the visibility of our work in the conservation and monitoring of the marine environment."

“In this case, it was a service provision, within the scope of a public tender, in which FCiências.ID provided support to the research unit to ensure that the conditions for participation in the project were met."

Researchers from MARE at CIÊNCIAS are participating in scientific studies for the creation of the Cascais–Mafra–Sintra Marine Protected Area of Community Interest.