Ana Hilário, researcher at CESAM/DBIO and the University of Aveiro, was highlighted in the media for her role in the expedition to the Gorringe Seamount. As a specialist in deep sea ecosystems, Ana Hilário was part of a multidisciplinary team that studied the biodiversity of this unique ecosystem in the Atlantic. The objective of the mission was to document the biological diversity of these submerged habitats. The idea is to collect information that supports the creation of the first Marine Protected Area offshore in Portugal, an objective aligned with the global challenge of protecting 30% of the oceans by 2030.
The Gorringe Seamount is a refuge and breeding area for several vulnerable marine species, such as rays, as well as including unique habitats such as deep kelp forests.