Post by CIIMAR

🌿 Marine forests are among Portugal’s most valuable, and vulnerable, marine ecosystems. 🖋️ Scientists, marine professionals, entrepreneurs and citizens have signed the “Vila Nova de Milfontes Manifesto”, calling for an urgent national strategy to protect Portuguese marine forests and other biogenic marine habitats. 🌊 The manifesto highlights the ecological and socioeconomic importance of macroalgae forests, seagrass meadows, coral and sponge gardens, which contribute to biodiversity conservation, fisheries productivity, coastal protection and climate regulation. The document proposes several priority actions, including: • A National Strategy for Marine Forest Ecosystems by 2040 • Effective implementation of marine protected areas • Long-term ecological monitoring and mapping • Blue bioeconomy models aligned with conservation goals • Increased ocean literacy and public participation 🌍 The initiative also stresses Portugal’s responsibility and opportunity to play a leading role in Atlantic marine conservation! 💪 Check all about this Manifesto at https://lnkd.in/ewrnncY3 #MarineConservation #OceanScience #BlueEconomy #MarineBiodiversity #Portugal #ClimateAction