The Azores just created Europe’s largest Marine Protected Area

It covers almost 300,000 km2 of the ocean floor and encompasses several vulnerable marine ecosystems, including deep-sea corals and hydrothermal vents. The Azores is an archipelago of 9 islands 1,500km off the coast of Portugal. The islands are rich in marine biodiversity. Half the new MPA is fully protected, meaning no fishing or extractive activities are allowed. While the other half is highly protected which restricts activities like fishing.